Sanitary Sewer Overflow Notification - May 12, 2025

On the afternoon of May 7, 2025, city staff were notified of water coming through a water utility cover in the intersection of South Main and West Madison. Staff initially believed the water was coming from a water main break.  

As repairs began and further investigations were possible, the city’s public works staff found that the incident was in fact a sanitary sewer overflow, caused by a collapsed sanitary sewer pipe. An estimated 8,400 gallons of raw sewage was released to the road surface, ultimately flowing to the storm drain, which flows and daylights to Allen Creek, which ultimately flows to the Huron River.

In accordance with regulatory protocols, City of Ann Arbor staff contacted the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) to inform them of this incident. 

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Media Contact:

Jennifer Lawson, Water Resources Manager, jlawson@a2gov.org  | 734.794.6430 ext. 43735