October 22, 2007

The Department of Environmental Quality Director has reached a settlement with Garden City, located in Wayne County, to resolve sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) that have occurred since 2000. The settlement was executed through an Administrative Consent Order that outlines short-term and long-term corrective actions to eliminate SSOs to waters of the state.

SSOs are discharges of raw or inadequately treated sewage from municipal separate sanitary sewer systems that are designed to carry domestic sewage, but not storm water. When an SSO occurs, sewage is released into areas such as city streets and streams rather than being transported to a treatment facility. All SSOs are illegal and often constitute a serious environmental and public health threat.

Problems that may cause chronic SSOs include excessive groundwater infiltration and in-flow into the sanitary system; rain water or snowmelt flowing into the sanitary system; insufficient capacity within the sanitary systems and pumping stations; system failures due to poor maintenance; buildup of sediments causing blockages; power failures; or equipment failures.

The settlement reached with the city is part of the statewide SSO strategy initiated by the DEQ in 2000 with the goal of eliminating all SSOs through sewer and storm water separation and new construction. As part of the settlement, Garden City has agreed to pay a civil fine totaling $10,000 and $2,500 for cost of enforcement actions taken by the state to resolve this case.

Garden City is part of the North Huron Valley/Rouge Valley Interceptor System owned and operated by Wayne County. This system provides sanitary sewage collection and transportation services to the many communities located within southwestern Oakland and western Wayne Counties.

"We appreciate Garden City's cooperation in helping us achieve our goal of eliminating SSOs," said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester. "Through these actions we can ensure that we are keeping our waters safe, and protecting the health of our families."

Editor's note: DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"

Revised October 22, 2007 by Pat Watson