Work at the site of the 15 Mile Sewer/Sinkhole in Fraser continues 24/7, and homes and business served by the damaged sewer line can assist in this vital and important repair by conserving their water usage at this time. This is an opportunity for everyone to step up and help with this very critical situation that impacts so many of our friends and neighbors.
While there is some flow through the damaged sections of the sewer, efforts are underway to bypass the damaged sections with piping that will once-again deposit the flow back into the main sewer line downstream from the damaged section. Short, mid- and long-term solutions are planned and being implemented, but there is an immediate need to reduce the flow of wastewater so this flow doesn’t end up in our rivers and streams, and residents basements.
We have reluctantly had an occasion to discharge sanitary sewer overflow into alternative areas to prevent basement flooding, and with your help we can minimize the possibility of having to do so again. With rain in the long-range forecast for next week, your conservation efforts become even more critical.
This sewer services a large portion of Macomb County and includes approximately 150,000 homes and 300,000 residents, and each of us can contribute to water conservation efforts that will in turn reduce the wastewater flowing into the damaged sewer.
Communities served include Chesterfield Twp., Clinton Twp., Fraser, Harrison Twp., Lenox Twp., Macomb Twp., New Haven, Selfridge ANG Base, Shelby Twp., Sterling Heights, Utica, and Washington Twp.
The Macomb County Department of Public Works has established a phone line dedicated to answering any questions you may have about the conservation initiative, and it is (586) 493-6744.
At this time we would ask that you continue your conservation efforts through January 2017, unless otherwise notified, and this request for your help in this matter doesn’t apply to those homes and businesses that use septic systems.
SEMCOG shares that on average, people use 77 gallons of day per person. To help you in your conservation efforts, we’re offering these tips provided by the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) website:
Water Conservation Tips for Residents
In every room that contains plumbing:
- Repair leaky faucets, indoors and out.
- When cooking, peel and clean vegetables in a large bowl of water instead of under running water.
- Fill your sink or basin when washing and rinsing dishes.
- Only run the dishwasher when it's full.
- When buying a dishwasher, select one with a "light-wash" option.
- Only use the garbage disposal when necessary (composting is a great alternative).
- Install faucet aerators.
In the Bathroom:
- Take short showers instead of baths.
- Turn off the water to brush teeth, shave and soap up in the shower.
- Fill the sink to shave.
- Repair leaky toilets. Add 12 drops of food coloring into the tank, and if color appears in the bowl one hour later, your toilet is leaking.
- Install a toilet dam, faucet aerators and low-flow showerheads.
Laundry:
- Run full loads of laundry.
- When purchasing a new washing machine, buy a water saving model that can be adjusted to the load size.
Thank you for your cooperation, together we can conserve our water resources and minimize the wastewater that passes through our sanitary sewer lines.
As noted, we’re working 24/7 to repair the damaged sewer so that residents and businesses can get back to their normal and everyday activities.