State Representative Alicia St. Germaine, R-Harrison Township, expressed appreciation for the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy’s (EGLE) proposed changes to the Oakland County discharge permit following pressure from Macomb and Oakland County lawmakers. This has been a serious concern for more than 40 years. The proposed changes were made due to the growing concerns over the combined sewage overflows (CSOs) in Macomb County’s waterways and Lake St. Clair.

“We cannot continue to allow contaminated water to flow through our lakes and streams,” said St. Germaine. “Clean drinking water isn’t a luxury. It’s a necessity. There are multiple photos and videos showing sewage waste discharging in the Red Run Drain, flowing through the Clinton River, and dumping into Lake St. Clair. It is gross to think that the same water we rely on for drinking is so contaminated. I’m happy that EGLE is finally willing to make changes to Oakland County’s permit. These changes were long awaited, and we are moving in the right direction.”

Following a letter from Republican lawmakers, EGLE has agreed to make changes and proposed several areas of attention to Oakland County’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. EGLE’s proposed changes to Oakland County’s discharge permit were the following:

• Oakland County must dechlorinate treated water before discharging it from retention basins. This requirement will be enforceable following an 18-month feasibility study to determine the best compliance strategy.

• The county must evaluate additional gray infrastructure options, such as sewer separation projects and increased in-system water storage.

• The permit will include a clause allowing future modifications based on findings from a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood control study. This study will examine downstream water flow and quantity to address soil erosion and flooding concerns, including sewage backup in residential basements.

• Oakland County must adhere to a forthcoming regional water control plan developed by the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) and approved by EGLE.

“While there’s still work to be done, we are making real progress on this critical issue,” St. Germaine added. “It’s great to see Oakland and Macomb counties working together to find solutions that protect our water and our communities. That being said, my office is working on introducing legislation to continue to find a solution to this top priority concern.”

The recommendations for the permit were submitted by Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller, who has been working tirelessly to reduce the combined sewer overflows and protect the water quality. EGLE also attended a meeting with 18 bipartisan state legislators from Macomb, Oakland, Wayne, and Monroe County to inform them more on the status of the permit. Public comments can be provided to EGLE until the deadline on March 7. To submit a comment, the public can do so by letter or through the MiEnviro Portal.