Sewage Release Down in Michigan in 2007 USA (wgvu) - MUSKEGON, Mich. (AP) - The Michigan Department of Environmental
Quality says the state's municipal sewer systems released 30
percent less raw or partially treated sewage into surface waters
last year than in 2006.
Detroit released 23 billion gallons last year, accounting for 88
percent of all sewage spilled into Michigan's lakes and streams.
DEQ officials say the state is making progress in its effort to
eliminate all sewer spills and overflows.
Nearly all the spills resulted from combined sewer overflows.
These happen when rainwater overwhelms combined sewer systems that
handle both wastewater and storm water.
Cities in these cases typically dump sewage into rivers or lakes
to keep it from backing up into residential basements.
© Copyright 2009, wgvu