Public Still Advised to Avoid Contact with Flint River after Wastewater Plant Discharge due to Excessive Wet Weather

On 2/20/2018 at 9:45 A.M. to 2/23/2018 at 7:15 A.M., the City of Flint Water Pollution Control Facility discharged wet weather flows, consisting of a mixture of stormwater and partially treated sewage, from its Wastewater Treatment Plant. This discharge was due to excessive wet weather flows, which exceeded the plant’s capacity for full secondary treatment of sewage. The Wastewater Treatment Plant has a Retention and Treatment Basin to contain excess flows, but it must discharge its disinfected wastewater into the Flint River whenever its capacity and the plant’s treatment capacity are exceeded. As a precautionary measure required by law, the State of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Genesee County Health Department have been notified, as well as officials of Flint Township and Flushing that the discharge has now ended.

Public Health Advisory – Although the RTB discharge has now ended, the Genesee County Health Department recommends against any contact with the Flint River under high flow conditions, particularly downstream of the release, west of the Mill Road Bridge at Flushing Road. Large amounts of runoff and churning of the river sediments generally result in high bacterial levels in the river throughout high flow areas. Notification of the water sample test results will be made by postings on the State of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s website. Any revisions or withdrawal of the health advisory will be made as soon as results are available.

Please utilize your facilities to disseminate this information to the public as soon as possible for the protection of the public. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

Robert Case, WPC Supervisor

* Initial Report below ———————————————————————————————————————————————-

On Tuesday, February 20, 2018, the City of Flint Water Pollution Control Facility discharged wet weather flows, consisting of a mixture of stormwater and sewage, from its Wastewater Treatment Plant.  This discharge was due to excessive wet weather, which exceeded the plant’s ability to treat and convey sewage into the plant. The Wastewater Treatment Plant Retention and Treatment Basin discharges into the Flint River whenever its capacity and the plant’s treatment capacity are exceeded. As a precautionary measure required by law, the State of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Genesee County Health Department have been notified, as well as officials of Flint Township and Flushing.

Public Health Advisory – The Genesee County Health Department advises against having any contact with the Flint River under high flow conditions, particularly downstream of the release, west of the Mill Road Bridge at Flushing Road.  Large amounts of runoff and churning of the river sediments generally result in high bacterial levels in the river throughout high flow areas. Notification of the water sample test results will be made by postings on the State of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality’s website. Any revisions or withdrawal of the health advisory will be made as soon as results are available.

Please utilize your facilities to disseminate this information to the public as soon as possible for the protection of the public.

We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

Robert Case, WPC Supervisor