MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich. – It’s a wastewater showdown.
Macomb County is accusing Oakland County of discharging sewage into a major stormwater canal leading into Lake St. Clair following wet weather.
At Shadyside Park in Mt. Clemens, Ron Keller finds his refuge along the Clinton River.
“It’s a nice river,” he said. “It’s a nice place to fish.”
However, Macomb County leaders are raising concerns about water quality issues.
“In the Red Run Drain, where there’s all these trees – the trees were totally covered with sewer wipes and there were condoms – and everything imaginable all over there,” said Commissioner Candice Miller of Macomb County Public Works. “They think that is acceptable?”
Macomb County leaders say its neighboring county’s sewage discharge flows into Lake St. Clair after heavy rains.
At the George W. Kuhn Retention Treatment Basin in Madison Heights, the Oakland County called those allegations a political scapegoat.
“You’re flat out wrong that this facility, this office – operations in full compliance with the state’s and federal regulations. What needs to happen is Macomb County needs to start investing at the same comparable level to address treating water,” said Commissioner David T. Woodward.
Oakland County leaders believe they have nothing to hide.
On Wednesday, it gave media a look at the treatment facility.
According to an engineer, stormwater enters the facility into a large room with screens.
Then, it flows into a chlorine mix. If the water level is high, that’s when it reaches the Red Run Drain leading into Macomb County.
However, it reports less than one percent of that spillover ever reaches Lake St. Clair.
EGLE confirmed to Local 4 that the facility is in compliance with those regulations.
The state reports GWK’s permit expired in October but it’s been extended while the reissued permit is being drafted. Currently, the state is looking into whether Oakland County may need to make further improvements which could include green infrastructure, according to an EGLE spokesperson.
Back at Shadyside Park, some question the water quality.
“It just looks nasty,” Jason Menefield said. “It just looks green.”