MIDDReport2025_1

2025 MIDD Report

Macomb Interceptor Drainage District (MIDD)

Candice S. Miller

Macomb County Public Works Commissioner

In This Issue: Project updates Upcoming projects Continued low rates

Pictured: Inspecting New Sewer Lining - 15 Mile Interceptor

No More Sinkholes!

Final phase of major construction projects along 15 Mile Road Final touches are being completed on the

hydrogen sulfide gas created by the flow of

interceptor rehabilitation and new pump station

raw sewage. Where the pipe transitions

at Segment 5 along 15 Mile Road in Sterling

upstream to an 8-foot-diameter section, a

Heights from Hayes Road, west to the ITC

geo-polymer coating was sprayed to line

Corridor, and Segment 6, east and west of

1,300 lineal feet.

Garfield Road.

At Segment 6, the pieces of impervious pipe At Segment 5, the new, permanent pump station

that were stored along 15 Mile on the border

inside the 60-foot-deep shaft that was excavated of Clinton Township and Fraser, are now deep west of Schoenherr Road was completed and is

below the surface, installed inside the

online. Almost 6,000 tons (12 million pounds) of

interceptor to shield the interior from

sediment was removed from the 11-foot-

corrosive sewer gas. From just east and west

diameter interceptor that is the last remaining

of the 15 Mile and Garfield intersection, the

portion along 15 Mile Road of unreinforced

interceptor was slip-lined after more than 800

concrete pipe installed in 1972. Installation of

tons (1.6 million pounds) of dense sediment

more than 350 segments of impervious glass

and debris inside the pipe was painstakingly

fiber-reinforced polymer pipe was completed to

removed.

line 7,000 feet of pipe to protect the pipe from further degradation caused by corrosive

“As our team has said before, we sincerely appreciate the patience of residents and

MIDD REPORT TO THE COMMUNITIES

ISSUE 7 // 2025

NO MORE SINKHOLES, CON'T.

motorists in the area who have put up with occasional odor and periodic road lane closures,” Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice S. Miller said. “While we truly empathize with the nearby residents and businesses that have endured those issues, it’s important to remember how vital these projects have been. If the MIDD board ignored the need to line the interceptor, deterioration of the concrete pipe would have progressed and inevitably led to another sewer collapse and sinkhole. Another infrastructure disaster of that type would be much more costly and disruptive to the area.”

MIDD REPORT TO THE COMMUNITIES

ISSUE 7 // 2025

Odor & Corrosion Facilities A system-wide study of the MIDD was completed to evaluate the need for additional odor and corrosion control facilities to mitigate degradation of the interceptors and nuisance odors emitting from the systems near homes, businesses and public areas. The locations for three new facilities were determined through analysis and computer modeling. They are intended to complement one another to reduce corrosive gas. Work has been completed on all three projects, and an existing biofilter was improved.

These are important projects to protect the different areas of the MIDD – which conveys the sanitary sewage of more than 600,000 customers in 11 Macomb County communities.

The biofilter on 15 Mile Road, west of Garfield, was converted from open beds of woodchips to an enclosed underground, concrete structure to hold an engineered carbon media to remove hydrogen sulfide gas. The facility is operational and will help reduce odor that has plagued the area for many years. The gas is drawn from the interceptor to the biofilter through an additonal foul air duct.

Construction of the new biofilter at the southeast corner of 21 Mile and Garfield Road in Macomb Township was completed in 2024. The facility has an enclosed chamber with engineered carbon media to remove hydrogen sulfide from the Garfield Interceptor that carries the sanitary flow from Macomb, Shelby and Washington townships.

The chemical injection system, using calcium nitrate, is located at the North Gratiot Pump Station near Gratiot Avenue and 26 Mile Road in Chesterfield Township. It became fully operational in spring 2024.

At the Clintondale Pump Station near Union Lake Road and Interstate 94, work has been completed to mitigate sewer gas in that area and to protect the MIDD’s Lakeshore Interceptor.

MIDD REPORT TO THE COMMUNITIES

ISSUE 7 // 2025

OMID Odor & Corrosion Facility Sorrento at Dodge Park Road An aesthetically pleasing way to protect underground infrastructure and reduce sewer odor in Sterling Heights is underway on a new biofilter system at the corner of Dodge Park Road and Sorrento Boulevard, south of 17 Mile Road. The facility will resemble a brick colonial-style house but will contain ducts, filters, high-speed fans and more. The apparatus will quietly pull corrosive sewer gas from the concrete pipes buried deep below the surface and filter it before sending clean air into the atmosphere. This process will help extend the life of the sewers and alleviate odors.

The $5.3 million project will not result in an increase to ratepayers.

9 Drop Shaft & Connecting Sewer Rehabilitation Projects Construction has begun at nine meter facility drop shafts and connecting sewers for needed rehabilitation due to degradation of the concrete caused by corrosive sewer gas. This photo and map shows where and how badly the pipe had deteriorated, exposing the rebar.

MIDD REPORT TO THE COMMUNITIES

ISSUE 7 // 2025

Combining AI & Drones for Sewer Inspections The Macomb County Public Works Office has enhanced its initial use of artificial intelligence for inspection of our underground infrastructure by adding a customized drone. The drone has LED lighting, 4K video, is splashproof and has a cage to protect it from the interior walls of the concrete pipes where it’s flown. The video is downloaded into the Sewer AI software and rapidly analyzed, providing results that normally would take weeks or months of analysis by contractors, saving millions of dollars. This first-in-Michigan combination of AI and the drone for inspections has won awards from the Michigan Association of County Drain Commissioners and the American Public Works Association (APWA).

Underground Drone

GoFlo The GoFlo device, designed in-house using a Go Pro camera on a float, has improved inspections of underground infrastructure. It is lowered into a manhole and records video while being carried by the flow inside the pipe. The device is removed from the flow by Public Works personnel at a predetermined manhole downstream and the video data is reviewed by the SewerAI software.

MIDD REPORT TO THE COMMUNITIES

ISSUE 7 // 2025

MIDD FY 2026 Budget & Charges Less than a

3%

annual rate adjustment the past 8 years With the completion of the 15 Mile lining projects (Segments 5 & 6) and Odor and Control Facilities and those costs dropping off, the budget funds several needed MIDD projects without incurring debt including:

We are happy to report that despite higher increases this year from both GLWA and OMID, my office was able to lower MIDD charges, resulting in only a 2.9% overall average rate adjustment. The savings are possible due to the nearly $40 million we received from Federal, State, and County funds for the completed 15 Mile Road sewer lining projects and the new Odor and Corrosion facilities.

This is now the seventh consecutive year that average charge adjustments have remained below 3%, which is well below the 10%-15% average annual increases experienced from 2010-2016.

The MIDD budget continues to invest in lining projects to ensure we have no more sinkholes. It also funds the rehabilitation of drop shafts, additional interceptor cleaning and sediment removal to ensure adequate flows as well as continued preventative maintenance inspections.

MIDD REPORT TO THE COMMUNITIES

$14 million to line the 15 Mile Interceptor east of Garfield Road to west of Groesbeck Highway. $4.25 million for additional interceptor cleaning and sediment removal. $2.5 million for the relining of nine sewer drop shafts based on recent inspection data. $1.5 million for the relocation of the Shelby Connector as part of the 21 Mile Road widening. $ 1 million for an equipment storage facility on 15 Mile Road behind the Biofilter facility.

ISSUE 7 // 2025

Upcoming Projects Construction is scheduled to start in fall 2025 on the 15 Mile Interceptor Phase 2 lining project between Garfield and Groesbeck Highway. The project involves the installation of approximately 4,400 linear feet of a PVC spiral-wound liner in the interior of the 5-foot-diameter concrete pipe to protect the pipe from further degradation.

15 Mile Interceptor Phase 2 Lining To reduce odors emanating from the Oakland-Macomb Interceptor near the area of Utica Road and Dodge Park, construction is scheduled to start in fall 2025 on a structure to filter out hydrogen sulfide that creates the foul air which also causes degradation of the concrete interior of the pipe.

Degradation can lead to infiltration of the dirt surrounding the pipe, which could cause the pipe to collapse and a resulting sinkhole.

Annual Inspections MIDD REPORT TO THE COMMUNITIES

The spiral-wound approach to pipe rehabilitation minimizes excavation and public disruption associated with digging of a shaft when performing the slip-line method. It also eliminates the need for extensive bypass pumping.

Odor & Control Facility– Dodge Park & Utica Road The proper and efficient operation of the MIDD system starts with inspections. Maintenance and, where necessary, extensive rehabilitation isn’t possible without identifying problem spots. Macomb County Public Works continues to inspect our underground infrastructure, a process that has been enhanced through the combined use of drones and artificial intelligence.

ISSUE 7 // 2025

Upcoming Projects, con’t.

The Macomb Interceptor Drain board continues to budget funding for continued cleaning and sediment removal in the interceptors. Removing sediment improves flow and ensures capacity in the system.

In 2018, a “fatberg” -- a collection of fats and oils mixed with solid items like paper towels and measuring 100 feet long, 11 feet wide and nearly 6 feet all – was removed from the Lakeshore Interceptor.

In Segment 5, nearly 6,000 tons (12 million pounds) of sediment were extracted from the 11-foot-diameter interceptor, while in Segment 6, over 800 tons (1.6 million pounds) of sediment and debris were carefully removed from the pipe.

Cleanout and Sediment Removal

North Gratiot Interceptor Lining Project TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR WATER AND SEWER BILL WITH WRAP!

$800,000/year available for Macomb residents

Construction has begun to rehabilitate 2,400 linear feet of the North Gratiot Interceptor along Gratiot Avenue near 26 Mile Road. The project includes sewer cleaning, inspection and pipe lining, manhole modifications and meter facility modifications.

MIDD REPORT TO THE COMMUNITIES

Anyone below 200% of federal poverty line is eligible

Up to $100/month in bill credits, $2,400 for unpaid bills and $2,000 for plumbing assistance To find more information, and to see if you qualify, call Macomb Community Action at 586-469-6464 or visit mca.macombgov.org ISSUE 7 // 2025

MIDD Projects Timeline Northeast Sewage Pump Station Start: October 2020 Finish: July 2025

Segment 6 Sewer Rehab Start: October 2021 Finish: May 2025 4 Odor Corrosion Facilities Start: January 2023 Finish: Completed 8 Meter Facility Drop Shaft Rehabilitations Start: November 2024 Finish: October 2025

2020

2021

Inspections Start: Ongoing MIDD REPORT TO THE COMMUNITIES

OMIDD North Interceptor East Arm Lining/Gates Start: February 2021 Finish: November 2025

2021 2022

2024

NGI Sewer Rehab Start: January 2025 End: Summer 2025

Grouting Start: Ongoing

Segment 5 Sewer Rehab Start: October 2020 Finish: June 2025

2025

2026

21 Mile & Garfield Lining Start: January 2023 Finish: Completed

2 OMIDD Odor & Corrosion Facilities Start: September 2024 Finish: April 2026

15 Mile Interceptor Lining Garfield to Grosebeck Hwy Start: Fall 2025 System Wide Cleaning & Sediment Removal Start: Spring 2026 ISSUE 7 // 2025

MIDD

By The Numbers

11 Communities Served

600,000 Residents & Businesses Served

29 Miles of Interceptor

17.1 Billion Gallons Annual Flow Volume

ZERO Sanitary Sewer Overflows since 2016

ZERO Sinkholes since 2016

31 Billing Flow Meters

$12.4 Million in Savings from Refinancing Bonds

2.9% Avg. Annual Rate Adjustment since 2017 vs. 15% Annual Increases from 2010-2016

43,000 SCADA Remote Sensors

Contractors spent 221 days working in underground pipe in 2024

10 billion gallons of flow stored & safely released while workers present underground

17 Employees

26 Rain Gauges

784 Manholes

REPORT A POLLUTER: 24-Hour Toll Free Emergency Hotline 1-877-679-4337 If a discharge is detected in a Macomb County drain, please contact the Macomb County Public Works Office.

The MIDD communities are: Fraser, New Haven, Sterling Heights, Utica and Chesterfield, Clinton, Harrison, Lenox, Macomb, Shelby and Washington townships.

Macomb County Public Works Office

Commissioner Candice S. Miller 21777 Dunham Clinton Township, MI 48036 586-469-5325 public.works@macombgov.org

Report a Polluter: 24-Hour Toll Free Emergency Hotline 1-877-679-4337