36,000 Gallons Of Sewage Leaks From Manhole Into Ann Arbor Park
ANN ARBOR (WWJ) - Crews are at work cleaning up a massive sewage spill in Ann Arbor.
City officials say as much as 36,000 gallons of sewage leaked into a wooded area by Bird Hills Park, near Newport Road and M-14, over the past several days.
Crews checked the area last Friday, but couldn't find any problems. Upon further inspection Monday morning, crews found the sewage seeping from an open manhole. Tree roots blocked the sewer line causing the leak, officials said.
Some of the sewage went into a tributary of the Huron River, but there is no danger for those using the river, officials said.
The city is advising people who use Bird Hills Park for the next week to stay on the paths and keep animals leashed because the area will be treated with white powder lime "to neutralize and accelerate the decomposition of the discharge."
The city says it's been in contact with the city's water quality manager to understand impacts on the park and collaborate for an environmentally sensitive cleanup effort, and that the EPA has been notified.
Public Works staff, meantime, is being commended for "demonstrating clear thinking and fast action," which the city says prevented the situation from becoming any worse.