On Tuesday, June 25, 2024, a spill of an oily substance into the Flint River was reported at an outfall near the 1400 block of James P. Cole Boulevard between Merrill St and E Wood St on the west side of the river. The City of Flint Sewer Department and Michigan Spill immediately responded and contained the spill with absorbent booms. The spill has stopped and the booms remain in place.
The oily substance was discharged from an outfall near the 1400 block of James P. Cole Boulevard between Merrill St and E Wood St on the west side of the river.
The spill affects the stretch of the Flint River from Hamilton Ave. to Grand Traverse St. The Genesee County Health Department recommends no contact with the river in this area.
No, Flint’s drinking water is NOT impacted by the spill. The City of Flint no longer sources water from the Flint River. The City purchases treated water from the Great Lakes Water Authority and the Genesee County Drain Commission, which both source water from Lake Huron.
About 1200 gallons of mixed oil and water have been removed from the river. The flow of contamination has stopped.
The oily substance has not yet been identified; samples were sent to a lab for testing and results are expected in 1-2 weeks.
The City of Flint Fire Department and Sewer Department, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), and the Genesee County Sheriff’s Department responded to the spill. The City of Flint contracted with Michigan Spill to place booms to absorb and contain the spilled material. The City of Flint is continuing to investigate.
The source of the spill is still unknown. The City of Flint has conducted source tracing of the sewer lines and is continuing to investigate all possible avenues.
We do not know why we are seeing these frequent spills, but the City of Flint is continuing to investigate all possible avenues. Illegal dumping into storm drains is one possible cause; another possibility is soil contamination. We are working with EGLE to make a plan for soil testing near outfalls. Flint community members can assist by reporting any suspicious activity around storm drains to the 24/7 emergency sewer number, 810-766-7079.
A hard boom has been continuously maintained at the Utah Dam outfall since July 2023. The City of Flint Sewer Department will place another hard boom at the outfall between Wood and Merrill Streets. This prevents any contamination from entering the Flint River at these locations.
Since this time last year, there have been four spills into the Flint River:
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The Genesee County Health Department recommends no contact with the Flint River at this time, including fishing and recreational activities, from Hamilton Ave. to Grand Traverse St.
On June 25 at about 12 p.m. the City of Flint Sewer Department responded to an oil spill into the Flint River at an outfall near the 1400 block of James P. Cole Boulevard between Merrill St and E Wood St on the west side of the river.
City of Flint crews along with Michigan Spill Response and the Genesee County HAZMAT team immediately responded to contain the spill.
Booms have been placed at the outfall and at the Flint River Trail Bridge. These absorbent barriers are collecting the spilled material. The volume of the spill and the source are yet to be determined. Further investigation is ongoing.
The Genesee County Health Department and the Michigan Department of Environmental, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) have been notified of the spill.
We will provide more information as it becomes available.
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On June 25 at about 12 p.m. the City of Flint Sewer Department responded to an oil spill into the Flint River at the James P. Cole Boulevard and Merrill Street outfall on the west side of the river. The City of Flint immediately responded, and Michigan Spill placed booms along the Flint River, two rigid booms and one soft boom. These absorbent barriers are collecting the spilled material.
The volume of material spilled into the river is unknown at this time. The Genesee County Health Department and the Michigan Department of Environmental, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) have been notified of the spill. The Genesee County Health Department recommends no contact with the Flint River at this time, including fishing and recreational activities, from Hamilton Ave to Grand Traverse St. Further investigation is ongoing. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
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