A Statement From Warren Mayor James R. Fouts
“Macomb County Public Works Commissioner’s Report on E-Coli Detection in Warren Is Being Addressed”
“First and most importantly, the detection of coliform bacteria in two drain outfalls in Warren was addressed by our engineers immediately after we were notified by the county public works commissioner.:
“Had we known the Public Works Commissioner had scheduled a press conference the next morning, we would have had our professionals present to answer questions and state our city’s immediate actions.
“It is important to clarify that the detection does not affect drinking water in any way and does not pose any health or environmental hazard.
“The city has the responsibility of monitoring 746 outlets to drains, and we adhere to all Michigan Department of Environmental Quality standards for inspection of these outlets.
“Although two locations were brought to our attention by the Public Works Commissioner, the City has had an ongoing program to identify and correct illicit connections. Over the past several years, numerous illicit connections have been identified and corrected.
“The original problem related to a sheen seen on the Red Run Drain is most likely due to oil run off and not related to coliform bacteria.
“Coliform bacteria are present in the intestines of all warm-blooded animals and most strains of coliform are not pathogenic and are easy to detect any indication of contamination and therefore illicit connections.
11 Mile and Schoenherr location:
“Little or no flow was detected at this location. These conditions make it difficult to track a problem. Samples taken under these conditions are probably not representative.
“The City has sampled these locations, but because of the above-mentioned conditions, the results may not be reliable.
“The City of Warren has also televised sewers in the area and found no illicit connections.
“During prior sampling in this area, City crews did find a raccoon’s nest in a catch basin.
“There are also many rear yard drains in this area which potentially could contribute to fecal material from animals.
“Based on the information available thus far, it appears that the source may be from animal waste.
The City of Warren will continue to sample and monitor the storm sewers in this area and to work with the Macomb County Public Works Office to identify and correct any problems.
I-696 and Bunert location:
“The storm sewer in this area appears to be a County drain and not a City of Warren storm sewer.
“Based on our initial testing, the source of the problem was thought to be from animal waste related to the horse farm in this area. More recent testing indicated that there might also be a problem related to an illicit connection from an industrial building in the area. Both potential sources have been cited and eliminated.
“Had the Public Works Commissioner contacted us immediately, our professionals would have worked with her office’s professionals immediately and eliminated the sources sooner.”