Water Conservation

In Monroe County, we are fortunate to live next to Lake Erie, one of the marvelous Great Lakes and along the River Raisin.  With the convenient accessibility of the water also comes responsiblity.  Each one of us has to do our part to protect these valuable resources. 

One of the County Departments involved in protecting water quality is the Environmental Health Division, others include the the Drain Commission and Planning.

There are many easy steps you can take to conserve and protect water.  The Southeast Michigan Council of Governments (SEMCOG) provides 7 easy steps for water protection through the Our Water. Our Future. Ours to Protect Program.

The EPA also provides water protection information and sponsors the watersense program which includes tips on how to save water and protect the environment.

A simple step homeowners can take to protect water quality is installing Rain Gardens.  To find out how to create a rain garden in your yard visit Rain Gardens of West Michigan or the how-to manual for Homeowners.

Rain Barrels are another easy tool that homeowners can use to conserve water.  Rain barrels allow homeowners to capture storm water runoff and permit its slow infiltration into ground surfaces, preventing unwanted chemicals from entering storm water. Stored rainwater can also be recycled for watering lawns and gardens, and trees during dry spells. Rain barrels are inexpensive, easy to install and to maintain, and in spite of their simplicity, can have a significant impact on both water quality and quantity. More information on creating a rain barrel system.  Rain barrels are also available at retailers and on-line for purchase.

Several local organizations are focused on preserving the River Raisin.  For more informaton on local initiatives visit the River Raisin Watershed Council, the River Raisin Institute and the City of Monroe Commission on Environment and Water Quality.  Keep reading for more information related to the River Raisin. 

Raisin River - The Contaminated Sediment Problem

Cancer-causing Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are the primary contaminant of concern in the Raisin River.  In 1997, the Ford Motor Company removed approximately 20,000 cubic yards of the most contaminated sediments.  However, post-cleanup sampling conducted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (U.S. EPA) Great Lakes National Program Office and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) from 1998 through 2003 indicated that unacceptable levels of PCBs remain in the river sediments.  Contaminant uptake studies with worms and fish have indicated that the PCBs in the sediments are easily transferred from the sediments into fish and animal tissue and present a risk to human health.  Michigan DEQ and U.S. EPA have been pursuing options for additional sediment remediation to address the remaining problem.

 

More information on the Raisin River Area of Concern is available at.

 

            http://www.epa.gov/glnpo/aoc/rvraisin.html

 

The Great Lakes Legacy Act

Contaminated sediments in Great Lakes harbors and tributaries contribute to a wide variety of problems, including contaminated fish and wildlife, bird and animal deformities, and threats to human health. To help address the contaminated sediment problem within the Great Lakes, The Great Lakes Legacy Act of 2002 (GLLA) authorized $270 million in funding over five years, beginning in fiscal year 2004, to specifically assist with the cleanup of contaminated sediment in America’s 30 Areas of Concern or AOCs.  In order to be eligible for Legacy Act funding, proposed projects must lie within a U.S. Area of Concern (AOC), and a non-federal sponsor must provide a minimum of 35% of the project cost.

 

The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality has requested $5,600,000 in GLLA funding to be combined with $3,000,000 of Clean Michigan Initiative funding to remediate 94,000 cubic yards of sediments contaminated with cancer-causing poly-chlorinated bi-phenyls (PCBs) within the Raisin River AOC.   The U.S. EPA is currently evaluating this proposal.

 

More information on the Great Lakes Legacy Act is available at:

 

http://www.epa.gov/glla/

 

 

 

Sediment Assessment and Remedial Planning 2009 and Beyond

As part of the evaluation process for the proposed sediment remediation project, U.S. EPA conducted an intensive, sediment assessment survey in the Raisin River in June 2009.  The goal of this survey was to collect information to evaluate the extent of contamination, along with data to allow MDEQ and USEPA to develop a final engineering design.  Sediment samples were collected at over 100 sampling locations, and analyzed for chemical contamination and engineering properties.  This data will be utilized to develop a final strategy and engineering design plans for addressing the remaining sediment contamination.

                         

 

Upcoming Activities

The next steps for the Raisin River include evaluation of data, remedial design planning, public outreach.  The current project goal is to complete all sampling and design activities required to get the site ready of remediation in Summer/Fall 2010.  Final decisions regarding GLLA and CMI funding for the project are expected in late 2009.

 

Tentative Schedule

·         August 2009 – Preliminary Data Available

·         August 17, 2009 – U.S. EPA and Michigan DEQ coordination with City Council

·         October 2009 – Preliminary Design Available

·         October 2009 – Public Information Session

·         January 2010 – Final Design Available

·         January 2010 – CMI and GLLA Funding Decision

·         Fall/Summer 2010 – Construction Begins