News Article

Archived News Release: March 16, 2020 - ​At approximately 3:26 p.m. on Saturday, March 14, 2020, the City of Ann Arbor was notified of a manhole in the University of Michigan Arboretum with water leaking from it. Upon further investigation, city public works crews identified this as a sanitary sewer overflow. City public works crews immediately mobilized to unblock the sewer and clear debris from the sanitary sewer pipe. The blockage was due to a large piece of concrete brick.

An estimated 450 gallons of sewage discharged onto a gravel pathway area in the arboretum. No sewage reached any waters of the State or stormwater connection. The affected pathway area (near the entrance to the arboretum off of Washington Heights) has been cordoned off, with signs posted. In addition, lime has been applied to the affected area to neutralize any bacteria. 

In accordance with regulatory protocols, City of Ann Arbor staff has notified the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. 

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