MADISON HEIGHTS, Mich., Sept. 18, 2024—Today, Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash and Oakland County Board Chairman David T. Woodward (D- Royal Oak) held a press conference to address and refute the recent accusations from Macomb County regarding water quality and infrastructure issues. Oakland County officials set the record straight and firmly denied accusations by Macomb County.
“Macomb County’s water quality issues did not develop overnight, nor were they caused by Oakland County,” Commissioner Nash said. “This is nothing more than a political diversion from the real problem—Macomb County's failure to address their own infrastructure issues over the past decade, despite guidance and recommendations from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE)."
During the press conference, Commissioner Nash explained how his GWK facility is a retention treatment basin that ensures 100% of any water leaving the facility is 100% treated and clean, noting that Macomb County has historically lagged in making infrastructure investments that could dramatically improve water quality in Lake St. Clair.
“Oakland County and our ratepayers continue to invest more money, build more infrastructure, and take extraordinary steps to treat and protect our water, more so than any county in Michigan,” said Commissioner Woodward. “Macomb County is just wrong on their baseless claims. Instead of pointing fingers at others, they need to do a better job treating water in their county.”
Macomb County officials have also been pushing for law makers to introduce legislation that would create additional burdens on municipalities that operate wastewater treatment facilities. The proposal, which could cost residents billions of dollars in fines, subject operators to jail time, and allow local elected officials to control the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permits of neighboring communities, would have no proven benefit to water quality.
Commissioner Nash and Commissioner Woodward noted that this legislation is a shortcut for Macomb County who wants to force the state to pay for its long overdue infrastructure upgrades.
“We operate the GWK facility under stringent environmental permits, with staff on-site 24/7 during heavy rains to ensure compliance,” Commissioner Nash explained. “Our facility follows all relevant laws, including the Clean Water Act, and we work in close partnership with EGLE to ensure we’re meeting or exceeding standards. The water leaving this facility is fully treated after being screened, settled, and disinfected with chlorine.”
Oakland County further emphasized that the GWK facility has maintained a compliance rate of nearly 100% with permit requirements for more than a decade, and when issues arise, they are swiftly identified, reported, and corrected. Contrary to claims, fully treated water leaving from the facility accounts for less than 1% of Lake St. Clair’s total flow and travels over 18 miles before reaching the lake.
“There is no correlation between our retention treatment basin operations and beach closures or the ‘muck’ on Lake St. Clair,” said Commissioner Nash. “Many federal, state and regional agencies have shown that these problems are primarily caused by runoff from animal waste and fertilizer, as confirmed by Macomb County's own health department data.”
Oakland County continues to invest in infrastructure improvements, having recently added 25 million gallons of storage with the Michigan Department of Transportation's I-75 Modernization Project. With this project, our operations now have the total capacity to store 150 million gallons of flow which is equivalent to almost 227 Olympic size swimming pools. To date, the county has invested hundreds of millions of dollars, ensuring this facility remains at the forefront of stormwater management.
“Transparency, environmental stewardship, and public health are core values we take seriously,” Commissioner Nash concluded. “We will continue to operate our systems efficiently, safely, and in full compliance with legal and environmental standards, ensuring the best possible outcomes for both our residents and the environment.”
Commissioner Woodward closed by the event by reiterating the county’s commitment to serving its residents with integrity and protecting both health and the environment.
About Oakland County Water Resources
The Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner’s office prioritizes public health, environmental preservation, and the delivery of dependable water and sewer services. We are dedicated to maintaining high-quality standards, protecting natural resources, and ensuring the community’s economic well-being. Our office strives to meet and exceed all local, state and federal water quality and environmental regulations. Learn more about our efforts and services at oakgov.com/water.
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Media Contact
Trisha Bruzek
Marketing and Communications Officer
Oakland County Water Resources
bruzekp@oakgov.com
248-494-6826
