1. Sewer overflow causes River Raisin contact warning
Daily Telegram
Posted May 24, 2010 @ 06:57 PM
ADRIAN, Mich. —
An estimated 500,000 gallons of diluted sewage spilled from Adrian’s sewer pipes during heavy rain Friday
night and early Saturday morning, causing a health advisory against contact with the River Raisin.
The Lenawee County Health Department issued the advisory Monday, warning against contact with the South
Branch of the River Raisin from Riverside Park in Adrian and downstream to Laberdee Road where it joins the
River Raisin. The advisory also covers the River Raisin downstream through Blissfield and Deerfield and into
Monroe County.
The advisory will remain in effect until testing shows the quality of the South Branch and the River Raisin is no
longer impacted, said a statement issued by environmental health director Martha Hall.
Adrian utilities director Shane Horn said sewer lines overflowed from about 9:30 p.m. Friday until 6 a.m.
Saturday.
Less than two inches of rain was measured in the city, Horn said. But rainfall was measured at three to more
than four inches in outlying areas connected to the sewer system, he said.
“We had more flow than we could carry in our existing system,” Horn said. The solution to heavy rain
overflowing the system is to increase sewer capacity or to eliminate stormwater from entering the sanitary
sewers. Horn said the city is pursuing both options. A $750,000 grant, he said, is helping finance a project this
fall to upgrade capacity.
