Heavy rain and snowmelt caused about 387,000 gallons of diluted wastewater to enter the Marion Genoa Drain from Tuesday, Feb. 20, until Wednesday, Feb. 21.
According to a release from the City of Howell, the diluted wastewater overflowed from a manhole located on Pulford Street, west of Hadden Street, within the city-owned right-of-way. The wastewater entered a storm basin 10 feet away that ultimately discharges into the Marion Genoa Drain.
The diluted wastewater began flowing out of the manhole at approximately 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 20. The overflow stopped at approximately 1:15 p.m. on Feb. 21. The wastewater was diluted approximately 85 percent by rainwater.
This discharge occurred due to an excessive winter rain event that included heavy snowmelt and over 3.2 inches of rain. This caused flows to exceed the capacity of the Waste Water Treatment Plant, resulting in the sanitary sewer system backing up and ultimately overflowing from the manhole adjacent to Pulford Street.
Contact the City of Howell at (517) 546-3500, or the Livingston County Health Department at (517) 546-9850 if you have further questions.
