Water Pollution Control Division Update

CITY OF FLINT UTILITIES DEPARTMENT
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL DIVISION

For Immediate Release

SUBJECT: WASTEWATER PLANT DISCHARGE

On 2/17/2022 at 6:00 A.M. to 2/18/2021 at 1:30A.M., the City of Flint Water Pollution Control Facility discharged wet weather flows, consisting of a mixture of stormwater and partially treated sewage, from its Wastewater Treatment Plant. This discharge was due to excessive wet weather flows, which exceeded the plant’s capacity for full secondary treatment of sewage. The Wastewater Treatment Plant has a Retention and Treatment Basin to contain excess flows, but it must discharge its disinfected wastewater into the Flint River whenever its capacity and the plant’s treatment capacity are exceeded. As a precautionary measure required by law, the State of Michigan Department of Environmental Quality and the Genesee County Health Department have been notified, as well as officials of Flint Township and Flushing that the discharge has now ended.

The Genesee County Health Department recommends against body contact with the Flint River under high flow conditions, particularly downstream of the release, west of the Mill Road Bridge at Flushing Road. Large amounts of runoff and churning of the river sediments generally result in high bacterial levels in the river throughout high flow areas. Notification of the water sample test results will be made by postings on the State of Michigan website.

Please utilize your facilities to disseminate this information to the public as soon as possible for the protection of the public. We appreciate your cooperation in this matter.

Jeanette Best, WPC Supervisor

City of Flint Water Pollution Control Facility