Polluted water looks like “milk” as it runs in Sterling Heights

STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. (WXYZ) — It’s now believed that concrete was dumped into the drain leading to water running through a relief drain in Sterling Heights to turn milky-white.

On Thursday, the MDEQ was notified of a water that appeared white, and milky, flowing in the Burr Relief Drain #2, which serves an industrial area in Sterling Heights.

This afternoon Macomb County Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller told members of the media that her team believed a local company washed concrete down the drain — a concern because less than a year ago they found a similar situation where the concrete had already solidified which demanded repairs.

“I think in the past no one ever did much,” said Miller. “That’s changing. We’re going to take care of the environment in Macomb County.”

Miller said that they’ve learned of more and more issues since she’s taken office, and while they’ve increased drain inspections she said some hadn’t been reviewed in decades. In this particular case a hiker noted the pollution and contacted Macomb County (they have a 24/7 hotline to report spills or concerns at 1-877-679-4337).

Late Thursday, county workers put a boom in the drain system to stop the flow of concrete sediment further down the river — there was a concern because the drain eventually reaches the Clinton River and ultimately Lake St. Clair where most residents of Macomb County get their drinking water.
Late Thursday, county workers put a boom in the drain system to stop the flow of concrete sediment further down the river — there was a concern because the drain eventually reaches the Clinton River and ultimately Lake St. Clair where most residents of Macomb County get their drinking water.
“This is a very troubling image,” said Candice Miller, the commissioner. “This drain travels through people’s backyards and ultimately into Lake St Clair. We have zero tolerance for contaminates in our waterways.”
“This is a very troubling image,” said Candice Miller, the commissioner. “This drain travels through people’s backyards and ultimately into Lake St Clair. We have zero tolerance for contaminates in our waterways.”
While it’s unknown who dumped the concrete, Miller said they’ve begun an investigation along with the MDEQ to determine who was behind it. She said that they have drain codes in the county that they can enforce, and that MDEQ could elect to fine a company depending on the cause. Either way, she noted that more education is needed to get the public up to speed with the needs of the county so that rivers and lakes in the area aren’t destroyed.
While it’s unknown who dumped the concrete, Miller said they’ve begun an investigation along with the MDEQ to determine who was behind it. She said that they have drain codes in the county that they can enforce, and that MDEQ could elect to fine a company depending on the cause. Either way, she noted that more education is needed to get the public up to speed with the needs of the county so that rivers and lakes in the area aren’t destroyed.
Rain between Thursday night and Friday morning did little to help the situation — a spokesperson noted that it would slow down cleanup efforts, but Miller said on Friday that she believed they had utilized the boom and a sort of absorption technology that would keep the pollutants that made it to the drain from flowing downriver further.
Rain between Thursday night and Friday morning did little to help the situation — a spokesperson noted that it would slow down cleanup efforts, but Miller said on Friday that she believed they had utilized the boom and a sort of absorption technology that would keep the pollutants that made it to the drain from flowing downriver further.

It’s not known how long the concrete had been in the water, or how far the initial pollutant may have reached.