Archived News Release: August 25, 2017 - At approximately 7:30 p.m. on August 24, a call was received to the City of Ann Arbor Water Treatment Plant after hours line, reporting a water main break. Upon investigation, Public Works staff determined that the problem was not a water main break but a sanitary sewer overflow, which was caused by a sewer line blockage from debris and grease. Crews immediately removed the obstruction and restored the flow in the line. An estimated 100 gallons of sewage escaped the line and ran into a manhole along Dexter Avenue, entering into a storm drain. The storm drain empties into Allen Creek, which then eventually feeds the Huron River. Because of the very small amount of sewage involved, as well as the distance to the river, no health advisories are being issued nor activities on the river impacted.
If you suspect, or see, a possible sewage leak (if you smell sewage for example) or water main break please contact us by phone. During normal business hours: Monday – Friday, 7:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m., please call 734.794.6320. After hours, evenings, weekends and holidays, please call the Water Treatment Plant at 734.994.2840.
In accordance with regulatory protocols, City of Ann Arbor staff contacted the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality to inform them of this unfortunate incident.
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