Report On The Pollution Of The Detroit River, Michigan
Waters Of Lake Erie and Their Tributaries Summary,
Conclusions and Recommendations
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Page
CONCLUSIONS 1
INTRODUCTION k
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS --DETROIT RIVER 5
Water Uses 5
Description of Water Quality and Interference with Water Uses 5
Sources and Characteristics of Wastes 12
Stormwater Overflow Studies 16
Special Studies 18
Interferences -with Water Uses 19
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS--LAKE ERIE 20
Description of Water Quality 20
Sources and Characteristics of Wastes 23
Special Studies 27
Interferences with Water Uses 27
RECOMMENDATIONS 29
LIST OF TABLES
Sources of Industrial Wastes, Upper Detroit River 1^-
Sources of Industrial Wastes, Rouge River 1^
Sources of Industrial Wastes, Lower Detroit River 15
Industrial Waste Effluent Concentrations, Raisin River 26
MAI3 OF PROJECT AREA ii
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FIGUR E I -I
I LAKE
'HURON
MICHIGAN
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
TOLEDO
MAP OF PROJECT AREA
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION & WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
ii
U.S. Z,ivi;-ort;v,cJiLl Protection A-^ncy
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CONCLUSIONS
Every day more than 1.6 billion gallons of waste water flow into
the Detroit River — 1.1 billion gallons from industry and 5^0 million
gallons from municipal sewage. Huge quantities of waste products
contained in this discharge change the Detroit River from a basically
clean body of water at its head to a polluted one in its lower reaches.
These waters are polluted bacteriologically, chemically, physically,
and biologically, and contain excessive coliform densities as well as
excessive quantities of phenols, iron, oil, ammonia, suspended solids,
settleable solids, chlorides, nitrogen compounds, and phosphates.
Pollution of the Detroit River will become progressively worse unless
effective action is taken immediately.
The City of Detroit's main sewage treatment plant, serving more
than 90 percent of the people in the Project area, contributes 95 percent
of the municipal waste to the Detroit River and is also the major source
of suspended solids, phenols, oil, inorganic nitrogen, phosphates, and
biochemical oxygen demand in the river. Overflow from combined sewers
in Detroit and its suburbs, carrying both stormwater and raw sewage,
contributes greatly to the degradation of the river.
In the upper Detroit River, the Great Lakes Steel Co. and the
Allied Chemical Corp. are the major sources of industrial wastes. The
Ford Motor Co. is the principal contributor of inorganic wastes to the
Rouge River, and the Scott Paper Co. is the principal contributor of
organic wastes. Downriver industries contributing significant quanti-
ties of wastes are the Great Lakes Steel Corp., the McLouth Steel Cor-
poration, Pennsalt Chemical Corporation, and Wyandotte Chemical Cor-
poration. On the Raisin River the leading polluters are the two Con-
solidated Paper Company mills, Monroe Paper Products Company, and the
Union Bag-Camp Paper Company.
Other significant sources of pollution in the study area are over- ,
flows from combined sewers, municipal and industrial waste spills, and
wastes from shorefront homes.
Pollution of the Detroit River causes interference with municipal
water supply, recreation, fish and wildlife propragation, and navigation.
Two municipal water intakes, particularly that of Wyandotte, are en-
dangered ty the high bacterial counts of the river, and the rising
chloride levels indicate potential future problems for industrial water
usage. In addition, high concentrations of phenols and ammonia at the
Wyandotte water intake have interfered with municipal water treatment
by causing taste and odor problems and reducing the effectiveness of
chlorination. Excessive quantities of chlorine are needed to reduce
bacteria to a safe level.
i
All forms^of water contact sports in the lower Detroit River are ,'
hazardous.^'Declining levels of dissolved oxygen in the lower Detroit
River as it enters Lake Erie are approaching the danger point, indicating
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trouble in the future unless appropriate remedial action is taken.
Together with bottom sludge deposits, oils, and toxic materials, they
threaten fish, migratory birds, and other -wildlife. In order to maintain
navigation, extensive annual dredging is required at the junction of the
Detroit and Rouge Rivers and at the mouths of the Detroit and Raisin
Rivers to remove deposits of suspended solids in large part originating
in municipal and industrial vaste discharges.
About 6 million pounds of waste products are discharge every day
from U.S. industries and municipalities to the Detroit River. 20 million
pounds of measured waste constituents are discharged every day from U.S.
waters of the Detroit River to Michigan waters of Lake Erie. The Raisin
River, grossly polluted at its mouth, also pollutes the Michigan waters
of Lake Erie.
The Michigan waters of Lake Erie have two major zones of pollution —
one in the vicinity of the mouth of the Detroit River, and one near the
mouth of the Raisin River.
Bacteriological densities in the Lake from the mouth of the Detroit
River to a point 2 or 3 miles south make the water unfit for recreational
use; following heavy rainfall in the Detroit area, this zone is extended
southward to Stony Point. The periodic contamination of Sterling State
Park beaches, which are posted as unsafe for swimming, is caused by
wastes from the Raisin River and septic tank drainage.
Concentrations of chlorides, metals toxic to fish life in minute
concentrations, and suspended solids in the Lake portend future problems
in various water uses. Composition of bottom organisms in the Detroit
River changes from a pollution-sensitive population typically found in
clean waters to a predominantly pollution-tolerant population in the
lower River.
Pollution-stimulated\alga§>growths have forced Monroe to move its
water intake point to avoictTihpleasant tastes and odors in the water, and
lalgae blooms near the new intake again threaten to degrade Monroe's
ariliking water. Discharges of nutrients and organic wastes into the
Michigan part of Lake Erie have speeded the enrichment of that portion
of the Lake.
Water at Sterling State Park is erratically polluted, and this area
occasionally had coliform counts exceeding 100,000 organisms per 100 ml.
A standard frequently accepted as safe for recreation is 1,000 per 100 ml,
and the recommendations in this report are based on that standard. The
Raisin River was discovered to be the primary cause of this pollution;
when Lake currents are northerly (40 to ^5$ of the time), polluted Raisin
River water is carried directly to the beaches. When currents are sou-
therly, polluted drainage from septic tanks reaches the Park. To im-
prove water quality at Sterling State Park, these sources of pollution
must be controlled.
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Adverse effects of stormwater overflow on water quality were seen
in all the waters studied by the Project. During and after heavy rain-
fall, sewage plants must bypass untreated wastes directly to the rivers, ;
and this can occur on 33 to ^5 days a year. The overflows averaged 8.2
hours and have lasted as long as 2k hours, and the detrimental effects
from a single storm have lasted as long as 5 days. Bacteria in storm
overflows often approached the densities found in raw sewage, with
counts as high as 100 million per 100 ml. Storm-caused overflows alone
are responsible for the discharge of 5 billion gallons of raw sewage to
the Detroit River yearly.
While there is some evidence that water quality is improving,
because of increased water uses damages are increasing, and unless re-
medial action is taken immediately the usefulness of the water resources
of the Detroit area may be destroyed completely by pollution.
All municipal sewage treatment plants in the area currently practice
primary treatment followed by chlorination. In order to protect water
uses, municipal treatment facilities are to be provided capable of pro-
ducing an effluent not to exceed:
1. Suspended solids concentration of 35 nig/1
2. Settleable solids concentration of 5 rog/1
3. Ammonia concentration of 2 mg/1
k. Phenol concentration of 20 ug/1
5. Oil concentration of 15 mg/1 , / , A-"
6. Biochemical oxygen demand of 20 mgA_______ 5-- /,/"'"
mean, of 5000/100 ml.
~~
It is recommended that~~all municipalities provide a minimum of secondary
treatment plus adequate chlorination to maintain these standards.
Recommendations for abating pollution interfering with water use in
the Detroit River and Michigan Lake Erie are made in two categories :
general recommendations relating to the Project area, and specific im-
provements required at each waste source contributing to the polluted
condition of the waters. In addition to these recommendations designed
to abate existing pollution, the report points out many areas where addi-
tional improvement in water quality will aid in the prevention of future
problems.
\
\
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INTRODUCTION
A water pollution investigation of the Detroit River and the Michi-
gan waters of Lake Erie has been made by personnel of the Detroit River-
Lake Erie Project of the Public Health Service, U.S. Department of Health,
Education, and Welfare, under the authority of Section 8 of the Federal
Water Pollution Control Act as amended (33 U.S.C. ^66 et seq) and at
the request of the conferees of the Federal-State conference on water
pollution held in Detroit, Michigan, on March 27 and 28, 1962.
The investigation was conducted to fill the gaps in existing tech-
nical information on water quality, sources and quantities of wastes,
and the extent of pollution in the United States waters of the Detroit
River and the Michigan waters of Lake Erie. The investigation was con-
ducted in cooperation with the State regulatory agencies. The valuable
assistance and special participation of personnel of the Michigan Water
Resources Commission and Michigan Department of Health is recognized.
Assistance was also rendered by the Corps of Engineers, U.S. Geological
Survey, -and the International Joint Commission. • ' -
' / -'• // , V " - /
Intensive surveys were made of 6 municipal and k2 industrial waste
sources to ascertain their individual contributions to the waste loadings
in the waters under study. These surveys were joint efforts of the Pro-
ject and the appropriate State regulatory agency. In the area of indus-
trial waste surveys, Michigan Water Resources Commission personnel col-
lected the samples and, after analysis by the Project, the Commission
evaluated the findings and made recommendations where appropriate. In
some cases the Project personnel made additional recommendations.
A cooperative study was undertaken with the Michigan Department of
Health and the Michigan Water Resources Commission to determine and com-
pare the characteristics of overflows from combined sewers with those
from separate storm sewers.
Generally, laboratory procedures were performed in accordance with
"Standard Methods for the Examination of Water and Wastewater, Eleventh
Edition." Any deviations were based on proven research described in
the literature.
The main body of this report contains a narrative description of
all major activities of the Project, accompanied by appropriate maps,
graphs, and tables. All tables and figures are contained in the seven
-main body of the report.
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SUMMARY OF FINDINGS - DETROIT RIVER
Water Uses •
The Detroit River is actually a strait connecting the waters of
Lake St. Clair to those of Lake Erie. Its average discharge, "based
on United States Lake Survey records through April 196U, is 182,000
cubic feet per second. During the study period the discharge averaged
170,000 cubic feet per second.
The water uses of the Detroit River are as follows:
1. Shipping and navigation. Tonnage shipped through the Detroit
during a recent eight-month season exceeded the entire combined ton-
nage shipped through the Suez and Panama Canals during an entire year.
To maintain navigation, dredging operations are carried on in the De-
troit River and Lake Erie by the U.S. Corps of Engineers.
2. Major staging area for migrations of waterfowl. Estimated
winter populations since 1950 ranged from a minimum of 5>000 in 1961-
1962 to 100,000 in 1963-6^.
3. Recreation. There are at least 18 recreational areas and 63
marine facilities in the study area,
U. Water supply. Heavy use is made of the Detroit River for
municipal and industrial water supply. The major municipal user is
the City of Detroit, serving the water supply needs of over three mil-
lion people both in Detroit and adjacent communities. Three municipal
water supply intakes serving the Detroit area are located in the U.S.
section of the Detroit River.
5. Sport Fishing. The fish of the Detroit River and adjacent
waters of Michigan Lake Erie are a valuable natural resource providing
recreation for many anglers in the metropolitan area. Sales of bait,
tackle, and fishing gear as well as sales and rentals of boats and
motors to sportsmen constitute a business activity of considerable
economic importance to the area.
Description of Water Quality and Interference with Water Uses
Several prior investigations concerning water quality in the Detroit
River have been made by government agencies and private consulting engi-
neering firms during the last 50 years. Reports of these investigations
show the progressive deterioration of the Detroit River water quality
from headwaters to mouth due to municipal and industrial waste discharges.
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Comparison of waste loadings discharged to the Detroit River during
the 19W IJC survey and the 1963 Public Health Service survey reveals
over 50 percent reduction in phenols, cyanide, oil, and suspended solids
from industrial sources during the 15-year period.
The vater quality of the Detroit River from its head to its junction
'•vfith the old channel of the Rouge River (approximately 10 miles down-
- stream) is satisfactory during dry weather conditions. During overflows
from combined sewers, the only part of the Detroit River free from
pollution is the stretch above Conners Creek and midstream down to the
Rouge River.
From their points of discharge all types of wastes had a tendency
to hug the United States or Canadian shores and then slowly extend out-
ward into the main body of the river. Thus the pollution is not as
great in the middle of the River.
Bacterial Density. High total coliform densities, especially when
accompanied by high fecal coliform densities, indicate the presence of
animal (including human) wastes which may contain pathogenic organisms
capable of causing enteric diseases in humans. The presence of these
organisms above acceptable levels is a threat to the health and welfare
of those who use this water for domestic water supply and recreational
purposes. A widely used standard for swimming is 1,000 organisms per
100 ml.
Bacterial densities differed greatly between dry and wet weather
conditions. During dry conditions the geometric mean coliform density
in the upper Detroit River was under 500 organisms per 100 ml., with
average values at the headwaters under 100 organisms per 100 ml. Below
Zug Island and the Rouge River the geometric mean coliform densities
increased to values exceeding 5>000 organisms per 100 ml. During wet
conditions no change was noted at the head of the Detroit River, but
below Conners Creek geometric means rose to approximately 7>000 per
100 ml. in the upper River and to over 80,000 in the lower Detroit
River. During wet and dry weather almost all of the lower Detroit
River has geometric mean values in excess of 2,^00 organisms per 100
ml., and most of the lower Detroit River exceeds 5,000 organisms per
100 ml. during wet conditions.
Fecal coliform ratio to or percentage of total coliforms provides
additional information on water quality. The range noted during the
study was 30 to 90 percent of the total coliform densities, with higher
values observed in the lower Detroit River during •wet conditions.
Fecal streptococci were generally less than either total or fecal
coliforms.
Geometric mean densities depict only average conditions and tend
to mask extremely high values. These high values can indicate signifi-
cant effects on many water uses, especially those affecting human health
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and velfare. Maximum values during the survey ranged from 4,900 or-
ganisms per 100 ml. at the headvaters to 770,000 organisms per 100 ml.
in the lover River.
At the head of the Detroit River average total coliform densities
were approximately the same during vet and dry conditions throughout the
range. At all locations from just below Belle Isle to the mouth of the
Detroit River average coliform densities near the United States shore
during vet conditions were 5 to 10 times higher than corresponding
values during dry weather. Study of the results of sampling in the De-
troit River by personnel of the City of Detroit during the past four
years indicates a pronounced dovnvard trend (as evidenced by median
values) in coliform densities in American waters near the shore, espe-
cially during the years 1962 and 1963.
Effluents from the main Detroit Sevage Treatment Plant, Wyandotte
Sewage Treatment Plant, and overflovs from combined severs are signifi-
cant sources of coliforms, fecal coliforms, and fecal streptococci to
the Detroit River.
Four years of operating records of several area water and sevage
treatment plants were evaluated. These records indicate a substantial
reduction in monthly geometric mean coliform densities during 1962 and
1963 compared with the preceding two years, especially in the Detroit
Sewage Treatment Plant effluent. A corresponding reduction in coliform
density at the Wyandotte Water Treatment Plant was observed in these
two years. Little change was noted in suspended solids in sewage efflu-
ent or influent in area plants during the period.
Monthly geometric mean values in several Detroit River sewage
treatment plant effluents indicate substantial reduction during the past
few years. During certain months with geometric mean values under
20,000 organisms per 100 ml., densities of daily samples varied widely,
with daily averages frequently over 100,000 per 100 ml. Such erratic
control of coliform organisms is not considered unusual when chlorina-
tion is practiced folloving primary sewage treatment.
Pollution from partially treated municipal vastes and overflovs
from combined sewers endangers the users of the domestic water supplies
from the Wyandotte intake and, at times, users of the domestic water
supplies from the Southwest intake of the City of Detroit in the event
of a breakdovn in the vater treatment facilities. Pollution from these
sources also interferes with recreational uses at all times in the lower
Detroit River. Pollution originating from the Detroit and Wyandotte
Sewage Treatment plants and combined sewers along the entire shoreline
of the River must be abated to improve water quality and increase the
uses of the Detroit River.
769-765 O-65-2
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BOD and DO. Insufficient dissolved oxygen in water can kill fish
and other aquatic life or prevent their propagation. Low levels of
dissolved oxygen can cause objectionable odors and thus interfere with
recreation and aesthetic enjoyment.
Dissolved oxygen in the upper River is stable at 93 - 106 percent
of saturation, but gradually diminishes to an average saturation of 6j
percent at the mouth in that section of the River most affected by the
Trenton Channel. The minimum observed value during the survey was 5.1
mg/1 at the mouth,
The major sources of biochemical oxygen demand (BOD) are the
effluents of the main Detroit Sewage Treatment Plant and the Scott paper
Company on the Rouge River.
While the present oxygen level in the lower Detroit River does not
cause major interference with water uses, the drop from 100 percent
saturation in the upper River to 67 percent in the lower is a warning of
dire consequences in the future unless appropriate action is taken and
represents a threat to water uses in the Detroit River and Michigan Lake
Erie.
Suspended and Settleable Solids. Excessive amounts of suspended
solids in water can cause interference with domestic and industrial
water treatment processes, harmful effects to fish and other aquatic life
by clogging the gills and respiratory passages of aquatic fauna, tur-
bidity which interferes with light transmission, ajad can interfere with
boating and aesthetic enjoyment of the water. When a part of the sus-
pended solids settles out on stream and lake bottoms as sludge or bottom
deposits, damage to aquatic life can occur since these deposits blanket
the bottom, killing eggs and essential fishfood organisms and destroy-
ing spawning beds. When the suspended solids carry with them toxic
material, aquatic life can be killed when the toxic materials leech out
into the water above.
A substantial increase in suspended solids occurred in the Detroit
River from its head to mouth with a range of 5 - 20 mg/1 in the upper
and 1^ - 65 mg/1 in the lower river.
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shoreline and in marinas interfere with recreational use and the aes-
thetic enjoyment of water. Pollution in the form of these deposits
interferes with navigation, requiring annual dredging operation to
maintain channels, marinas, and harbor facilities.
Oil and Grease. Oil and grease were repeatedly observed in the
Detroit River.
The major sources of oil are the main Detroit Sewage Treatment
Plant effluent and severa^ industrial sources.
Although good oil pollution control has been effected by the State
regulatory agencies during wildfowl over-wintering periods, the con-
tinued presence of excessive quantities of this pollutant in waste
effluent poses a constant threat to fish and wildlife, as well as in-
terfering with recreational use of the water. Oil spills were observed
during the study period by the Project. " ' , ,
,,-;,•-• ' ''/'
Phenols. High levels of phenols in waters cause disagre>«t:>le taste
and odors in drinking water, tainting of flesh in game fislff and may
even result in fish kills when concentrations are excessive. Phenols
are present in Detroit raw water supplies in sufficient concentration to
cause disagreeable tastes and odors, and expensive water treatment pro-
cedures are required to eliminate the problem. Average phenol concen-
trations should not exceed 2 ug/1 (ppb) and maximum values should not
exceed 5 P€/l to prevent nuisance taste and odors in water supplies.
Average phenol concentrations in the Detroit River increased from
3-5 ug/1 at its head to greater than 10 ug/1 in the lower River, and
6-9 ug/1 at the mouth. Average phenol concentrations at all ranges
in the Detroit River exceeded recommended levels during the survey.
Records of the International Joint Commission indicate high concentra-
tions in the St. Clair River below known sources of phenolic wastes in
Sarnia, Ontario, Canada.
The major sources of phenols are the main Detroit Sewage Treatment
Plant effluent, which treats the wastes of numerous industries, and
other industrial sources.
Excessive phenol concentrations in the waters and bottom muds of
the Detroit River pose a threat to fish and other aquatic life and have
interfered with domestic water treatment at the Wyandotte plant.
Chlorides. Chloride concentrations above certain levels can inter-
fere with domestic and industrial water supplies by causing objectionable
tastes in drinking water and corrosion in industrial processes.
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Chlorides in the Detroit River increased from uniform concentra-
tions of 7 - 10 mg/1 at the head to average values ranging from 9-69
mg/1 at the mouth. High values were observed in the Trenton Channel and
at the mouth near the United States shore.
The principal contributors of chlorides to the Detroit River are
the Allied Chemical Corporation, BennsaTt Chemical Company, and the
Wyandotte Chemical Company.
Increases in chloride concentrations indicate a change in the
mineral content of the Detroit River from head to mouth. Although
these concentrations are not yet significant enough to cause major
interference with water use, the doubling of chloride loadings in a
30-mile stretch of the river is of concern. Future action may be neces-
sary to prevent an undesirable situation.
Iron, Excessive concentrations of iron in water can cause inter-
ference with domestic and industrial water supplies. Iron is toxic to
certain species of fish and other aquatic life in relatively low con-
centrations. Iron concentrations should not exceed 0.3 mg/1 (ppm) in
the receiving stream to prevent interference with municipal and indus-
trial water supply and to protect fish and wildlife.
Average iron concentrations in the Upper Detroit River meet recom-
mended levels, but downstream the concentrations increase to average
values of 0.52 mg/1. The iron concentration at the mouth ranges from
0.1*7 - 0.63 mg/1.
,f
':* •
/^w/-"8" Although the Detroit Sewage Treatment Plant is a significant
's'' /./contributor of iron to the Detroit River, the largest sources of iron
J/?~ are the Great Lakes Steel Company and the Ford Motor Company,
Iron concentrations in the waters and bottom muds of the Detroit
River pose threats to fish and other aquatic life and represent a po-
tential interference with industrial water supply.
Nitrogen. Nitrogen compounds coupled with phosphorus can act as
essential nutrients causing the growth of algae in bodies of water where
other environmental factors are satisfactory. In small quantities these
algae are desirable as a major source of food for fish. When algal
growth exceeds certain limits, nuisances result from the blooms. They
are unsightly, can result in obnoxious odors, and some species can be
toxic to fish. The level of inorganic nitrogen compounds (nitrates,
nitrites, and ammonia) above which undesirable blooms, can be expected
to occur is 0.30 mg/1.
Nitrogen compounds show a significant increase from the head to the
mouth of the River. Inorganic nitrogen (nitrates, nitrites, and am-
monia) increased from approximately 0.2 mg/1 at the head to over O.k mg/1
10
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at the mouth of the River. Ammonia increased dramatically below the
Houge River and Zug Island from a range of 0.08 - 0.1^ mg/1 to O.l6 -
0.1*1 mg/1. High ammonia levels at the Wyandotte water treatment plant,
causing a variable chlorine demand, have necessitated greater chlorine
dosages to assure a safe supply at all times. The presence of this
material not only results in additional expense but also represents an
interference with the effectiveness of chlorine in disinfecting water
supplies, and thus is a potential hazard to the health and welfare of
the users. High ammonia levels can be expected to cause similar problems
at the new southwest intake operated by the City of Detroit.
The main source of nitrogen to the Detroit River is the effluent
of the main Detroit Sewage Treatment Plant.
Essential nutrients for plant growth, including inorganic nitrogen
compounds and phosphates, increase significantly from the headwaters to
the mouth of the Detroit River. Excessive concentrations of these con-
stituents cause interference with almost all legitimate water uses.
Phosphates. Soluble phosphates in relatively small concentrations
are readily available as an essential plant nutrient. The insoluble
portion of the total phosphate concentration can be converted to the
soluble form and thus become available for auch plant utilization.
Soluble phosphates present in greater concentrations than 0.015 mg/1,
reported as phosphorus, in combination with inorganic nitrogen com-
pounds in excess of 0.30 mg/1 and accompanied by satisfactory environ-
mental conditions such as light and heat, may produce overabundant
growths of algae with concomitant odors and detriment to fish life.
Phosphates (reported as phosphates) increased from average values
Of 0.03 - 0.30 mg/1 at the head to 0.18 - 1.20 mg/1 at the River's
mouth. All but two soluble phosphate values in the upper Detroit River
were less than 0.001 mg/1 with the highest value located near the United
States shore just downstream from the combined sewer outfall at Conners
Creek. These values increased to a range of 0.176 to 0.204 mg/1 at the
mouth.
The main source of phosphates to the Detroit River is the main
Detroit Sewage Treatment Plant effluent.
Biology. The waters of the Detroit River from head to mouth were
found to contain low numbers of planktonic algae, with counts averaging
500 per ml. Low densities of animal plankton were also found. Plankton
entering the river with water masses from Lake St. Clair were carried
as a "standing crop" downriver to Lake Erie with little change in den-
sity or species composition either vertically or horizontally across the
river. The rate of travel is too rapid for the domestic and industrial
wastes to appreciably alter the number of plankton.
11
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The bacterial slime Sphaerotilus was found, attached to bridge
abutments, pilings, piers, buoys, etc., in abundant quantities in the
Detroit River below the Rouge River and Detroit Sewage Treatment Plant
outfall.
Composition of bottom organisms in^the Detroit River changed from
a pollution-sensitive population typically found in clean waters to a
predominantly pollution-tolerant population in the lower areas of the
River below Zug Island and the Rouge River. This change was especially
pronounced along the United States shore. In the reach of the Detroit
River from Zug Island to the mouth, habitats suitable for the support
of a variety of bottom organisms have been destroyed by the deposition
of organic solids and oils, especially in areas nearest the Michigan
shore*
Clinging and burrowing mayfly nymphs, both pollution-sensitive
organisms associated with clean bottom conditions, in themselves valu-
able as fish food, were found in the upper ranges of the Detroit River
but were completely absent from the River below the Rouge River and
Detroit Sewage Treatment Plant and in the entire Michigan waters of
Lake Erie. Habitats in the lower Detroit River formerly suitable for
the support of this once-abundant organism have been totally destroyed
by pollution.
Sources and Characteristics of Wastes
A total municipal waste volume of 5^0 million gallons is discharged
daily into the Detroit River, containing the following loadings of
constituents:
1. Wastes equivalent in oxygen-consuming capacity to raw sewage
from a population of over 3,000,000.
2. Innumerable coliform bacteria.
3« Over 25,000 pounds of iron.
I*, Over 600,000 pounds of suspended solids and almost 300,000
pounds of settleable solids.
5. Over 16,000 gallons of oil.
6« Over 1,200 pounds of phenolic substances.
7o Over 3^*000 pounds of ammonia.
80 Over 150,000 pounds of total phosphates, including TO,000
pounds of soluble phosphates.
12
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9. Over 500,000 pounds of chlorides.
A total industrial waste volume of 1.1 billion gallons is discharged
daily into the Detroit River, containing the following loadings of
constituents:
1. Wastes having an oxygen-consuming capacity equal to raw sewage
from a population of over 1,000,000.
2. Over 3,000 gallons of oil.
3. Over 800,000 pounds of suspended solids, of which almost 700,000
are settleable.
k. Over 1,1*00 pounds of phenols.
5. Over 8,000 pounds of ammonia,
6. Over 80,000 pounds in'iron.
7. Over 2 million pounds of chlorides.
8. Over 200,000 pounds of acid. , !\; --,
13
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TABLE 11-V. SOURCES OF INDUSTRIAL WASTES--ROUGE RIVER
Industry
Allied Chemical Corporation
General Chemicals Division
Plastic Division
Semet-Solvay Division
Solvay Process Division
American Agricultural
Chemical Company
Darling and Company
Ford Motor Company
Peerless Cement Company
Scott Paper Company
TOTAL
TABLE 12-
Industry
Allied Chemical Corporation
Solvay Process Division
Anaconda- American
Brass Company
Great Lakes Steel Corporation
Blast Furnace Division
Parke Davis and Company
Revere Copper and Brass
Company
U. S. Rubber Company
TOTAL
V oHime
(MGD)
9. H
0.48
5.9
15.2
1. 15
1. 13
400
8. 1
43.8
484.87
'Product Production
sulfuric acid,
aluminum sulphate.
coal tar, pitch,
oil.
high-grade coke
and by-products
soda ash 1, 000
tons /day
fertilizer, gelatin,
fluoride salts
fats and meat meal
steel, castings,
coke, glass, automo-
biles
Portland cement 3 1/4 million
barrels/year
high-grade paper Ł40 tons/day
tissue
Significant
Waste Constituents
acid
phenols, NH-^
phenols
suspended solids,
chlorides, phenols
acid
BOD, coliform,
N, suspended
solids, oil
phenols, CN, NH3,
iron, oil
suspended
solids
BOD, pH, Susp,
solids, phenols.
Waste Treatment or
Control
ponds, pH monitors.
dephenolizer s ,
settling, oil
separators.
dephenolizer, oil
separator
lagoons
none
sedimentation
oil separator, sedi-
mentation, sub-
surface injection.
none
screening,
clarifiers
V. SOURCES OF INDUSTRIAL WASTE--UPPER DETROIT RIVER
Volume
(MGD)
6.4
5. 3
90
8.1
2.9
42
154.7
Product Production
soda ash 1, 000
tons /day
copper
coke, pig iron,
coke by-products
Pharmaceuticals
brass and copper
tires
Significant
Waste Constituents
suspended solids,
chlorides, phenols
toxic metals, acid
iron, susp. sol. ,
phenols, oil,
NH3, cyanides
none
oil, toxic metal
none
Waste Treatment or
Control
lagoons
neutralization,
settling
clarifiers,
dephenolizer
none
oil separators
oil skimmers
1U
-------
TABLE 13-V. SOURCES OF INDUSTRIAL WASTES - LOWER DETROIT RIVER
Volume
Industry (MGD)
Chrysler Corporation
Amplex Division 0. 32
Chemical Products 0. 27
Division
Engine Plant 1 . 1
Dana Corporation 0. 38
E. I. duPont deNemours 1. 4
and Company
Firestone Tire and 1.0
Rubber Company
Fuel Oil Corporation 12, 240*
Great Lakes Steel
Corporation
Hot Strip Mill 72
Rolling Mill 72
Koppers Company, 0. 8
Incorporated
Mclxmth Steel
Corporation
Gibraltar Plant 1. 6
Trenton Plant 65. 7
Mobile Oil Corporation 1. 1
Monsanto Chemical 18
Company
Pennsalt Chemicals
Corporation
East Plant 97
West Plant 6. 8
Shawirugan Resins 0.4
Corporation and Monsanto
Saflex Division
Wyandotte Chemicals
Corporation
North Plant 57
South Plant 54. 7
Propylene Oxide 1.0
Plant
TOTAL 452.57
Product Production
gears
chemical ad-
he sives, brake
linings, soluble oils
engines 55, 000/mo.
auto and truck
RR car carriers
sulfuric acid, oleum
wheel rims 11,400,000
Ibs. /mo.
ship washing 18 ships/yr.
sheet steel
strip, sheet and
bar steel
naphthaline, paraf-
fin epoxy resins
cold rolled steel 80,000
tons/mo.
Stainless steel 2,530,000
tons/yr.
gasoline, naptha,
kerosine, oils
phosphates and
detergent
chlorine, caustic,
NH^, hydrogen per-
oxide, acid, ferric
chloride
organic chemicals
polyvinyl butyral 500, 000
Ethyl acetate Ibs /week
soda ash, bicarb of
soda, lime, calcium
carbonate, cellulose
chlorine, lime,
glycol, cement,
soda, dry ice
propylene oxide 65 tons/day
Significant
Waste Constituents
none
none
oil
phenols, acid, oil,
iron
acid
acid, iron, oil.
suspended solids
oil, suspended
solids
oil, iron,
suspended solids
oil, phenols, acid,
iron, suspended
solids
phenols, oil
acid, iron, sus-
pended solids, oil
iron, suspended
solids, oil
phenols, oil, chlo-
rides, suspended
solids
phosphates,
suspended solids
NH^, chlorine,
chlorides, sus-
pended solids
phenols, chlorides,
suspended solids,
oil, oxidizing
agents
acid, BOD, sus-
pended solids
phenols, chlorides,
suspended solids,
nitrogen
chlorides, sus-
pended solids,
phenols
chlorides, sus-
pended solids
Waste Treatment or
Control
none
none
air flotation and
oil skimmer, chem-
ical coagulation
none
none
oil separator.
ponds, diffuser
pipes
oil separator
oil skimmers and
settling basins
oil separators
none
oil skimmers,
lagoons
chemical coagula-
tion, settling neu-
tralization, oil
separators
oil separator,
ponds
lagoons
none
lagoons, oil
skimmers
lagoons, neutral-
ization
lagoons
lagoons, oil
separator
lagoons
^gallons per hour when washing ship.
769-765 O-65—3
15
-------
Stormwater Overflow Studies
Studies were performed jointly with the Michigan Department of
Health and the Michigan Water Resources Commission to compare the
characteristics of discharges from the combined sewers serving the
City of Detroit (Conners Creek system) and the separate storm
sewers serving Ana Arbor, Michigan.
The following is a summary of waste constituents found in the
stormwater overflows from combined sewers:
1. Total coliform, fecal coliform, and fecal streptococcus
densities many times approached values found in raw sewage. Coliform
counts of over 100,000,000 organisms per 100 ml were found during
summer months. Lower results were found in the winter.
2. Total coliform densities in the separate stormwater system at
Ann Arbor regularly exceeded 1,000,000 organisms per 100 ml. Average
total coliform densities from the Detroit combined system were approxi-
mately 10 times higher than those in the Ann Arbor separate system.
Fecal coliform densities were found to be approximately 30 times
greater than similar values in the separate system, while comparable fecal
streptococcus levels were at least twice as high.
3. Phenol, BOD, phosphate, ammonia, and organic nitrogen concen-
trations were two to five times higher in the combined overflow than in
separate storm discharge.
4. In the Detroit area, rainfall sufficient to cause overflows
from all combined sewers (0.3 inch) can be expected to occur approximately
33 days each year. Rainfall sufficient to cause overflows from certain
parts of the system (0.2 inch) can be expected to occur about ^5 days
each year.
5. Calendar year 19&3 vas "^ne driest on record for the City of p
Detroit according to rainfall records of the U.S. Weather Bureau. Even /
during this year, the Conners Creek pumping station was observed to /
overflow 12 times during a 6-month period in 1963. During the first 12 ' lj
months of operation of the automatic sampler, the Conners Creek installa-
tion overflowed and collected samples 23 separate times. Both figures
exclude the period of raw sewage bypass from this station by the City of
Detroit.
6. The volume of overflow at the Detroit installation during the
survey varied from Uo million gallons to 509 million gallons. The
greatest volume was observed during the overflow of longest duration.
This volume, which originated from only 25 percent of the City of Detroit,
is approximately the same as the daily discharge of partially treated
sewage from all sewage treatment plants into the Detroit River.
16
-------
7. Volume figures indicate a discharge into the Detroit River
of U ^ billion gallons from the combined sewers serving the Conners
system during the first year of operation of the sampling station.
8. It is estimated that 2 percent of the total raw sewage con-
tributed to the Detroit area sewers reaches the Detroit River each
year. This is over 5 billion gallons of raw sewage contributed to the
Detroit River from this source each year. This figure should be con-
sidered conservative since the Conners system is designed for more
storage capacity than many other combined sewers in the Detroit and
downriver collection systems.
Total bacterial densities were found to increase from the head
waters to the mouth during a typical overflow. The following is a
summary of data on bacterial densities:
1. Coliform, fecal coliform, and fecal streptococcus densities
increased in the Detroit River, following an overflow from combined
sewers, 10 to 50 times over the values found during dry weather
conditions.
2. Coliform densities in the Detroit River following an overflow
often exceeded 300,000 organisms per 100 ml and at times exceeded
700,000 organisms per 100 ml.
3. All high bacteriological values in the Detroit River during
or following an overflow were found below Conners Creek. Bacteriolo-
gical densities above this point stayed fairly constant during wet and
dry conditions. Conners Creek represents the farthest upstream loca-
tion on the Detroit River of many combined sewer outfalls.
4. City of Detroit sampling records show individual values ex-
ceeding 800,000 organisms per 100 ml in the Detroit River on the day
following significant rainfall.
5. High bacteriological densities following overflows were found
at both the City of Wyandotte water intake and the new intake of the City
of Detroit near Fighting Island. The Wyandotte values exceeded 100,000
organisms per 100 ml and the Fighting Island values 10,000 organisms
per 100 ml.
6. Rainfall, overflow, and stream quality records show that dur-
ing a 9-month period in 19&3 (March - November) overflows from com-
bined sewers affected water quality in the Detroit River during part
or all of 88 days. This represents 32 percent of the days in the 9-
month period. This phenomenon occurred during the year of lowest accu-
mulated rainfall and implies an even greater effect on Detroit River
water quality during a year of normal rainfall.
17
-------
During heavy rains causing overflow, visual observations nere
made of the Detroit River by Project field personnel, who noted con-
doms, debris, and garbage as veil as excrement floating down the River.
Special Studies
Several special studies were conducted by the Project to provide
additional information on complex problems. The following were investi-
gated :
1. The effect of pollution originating from unsewered homes or
from inadequately functioning installations on Grosse lie.
2. Growth and die-off of bacteria in the Detroit River.
3. Bypass of 75 MGD of raw sewage for 10 consecutive days by the
City of Detroit during November 1963.
U. Detroit's bypassing of treated effluent through an alternate
outfall to the Rouge River and its adverse effect on water quality in
the lower Detroit River.
5. Physical and chemical characteristics of deposits on the
bottom of the Detroit River.
6. Distribution of flow in the Detroit River by dye tracer studies,
7. Tributaries of the Detroit River thought to be of significance
in the contribution of industrial or domestic wastes and subsequent
deterioration of the main river.
Detailed information on the results of these studies can be
found in Section V in the main body of the report.
18
-------
Interferences -with Water Uses
Municipal Water Supply. Two municipal water intakes in the Detroit
River, the Southwest City of Detroit intake and the Wyandotte intake,
receive water with bacterial counts tfrequently high enough to pose a '
health hazard in the event that water treatment facilities should mal-
function. Furthermore, ammonia levels at the Wyandotte intake are high
enough to lessen the effectiveness of normal disinfection procedures,
and phenols cause taste and odor problems.
Industrial Water Supply. The water supply of several industries
is interfered with by high chloride concentrations in the Detroit
River, but the Project staff was unable to obtain statements to this
effect from the industries concerned.
Recreation. Pollution has necessitated that all beach areas on the
Detroit River below Belle Isle be posted as unsafe for swimming and other
water-contact sports. Thus 26 out of the 31 miles of the Detroit River
have had their recreational usefulness greatly diminished. At the same
time, many people ignore the warnings of State and local health authori-
ties, and swim and water-ski in the restricted area. For these people,
pollution in the River presents an immediate health hazard. Boaters
and owners of marinas along the lower River are constantly harassed by
oil slicks and sludge deposits, which deface boats and boat equipment,
fill in and foul docking facilities, and create an aesthetic nuisance.
Fish and Wildlife Propagation. Creel census records indicate a
change in the predominant types of fish in the Detroit River from a
variety of desirable game fish to a predominance of carp and yellow
perch. The destruction of 10,000-12,000 wildfowl Łe$tŁ 'years ago has
been attributed to oil pollution. -"",-.. • j--- ,• ^
, , ' - c-- „•'//;,.--
Navigation. Sludge deposits at the junction of the Rouge and
Detroit Rivers and at the mouth of the Detroit River require extensive
annual dredging by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to maintain routine
navigation.
19
-------
SUMMARY OF FINDINGS - LAKE ERIE
This study was limited to the Michigan waters of Lake Erie, which
constitute approximately 1 percent of the surface area of this interna-
tional body of water. Lake Erie is the shallowest of all the Great
Lakes, and the greatest recorded depth in its Michigan waters is only
29 feet. Most of the water flowing into Lake Erie is from the Detroit
River.
Description of Water Quality
The Michigan waters of Lake Erie have two major zones of pollution —
one in the vicinity of the mouth of the Detroit River, one near the
mouth of the Raisin River. These waters are polluted bacteriologically,
chemically, physically, and "biologically; they contain excessive coli-
form densities, suspended solids, nitrates, ammonia, organic nitro-
gen and phosphates, and sludge deposits.
'fr,?'' 1 feacterial Density. Sewage commonly contains many pathogenic or-
ganisms that can cause gastrointestinal diseases, eye, ear, nose and
throat disorders, skin infections, and hepatitis when ingested. These
organisms may include both bacteria and viruses. They are usually
measured by counting the number of aoliforms (bacteria particularly
associated with human or animal excreta).
The maximum density of coliform bacteria recommended in this report •
~1,000 organisms per 100 ml. - is exceeded for 2 to 3 miles south of the
mouth of the Detroit River and for approximately 1 mile out from the
mouth of the Raisin River. Maximum coliform values showed a similar
pattern of dispersion, with individual values exceeding 100,000 organisms
per 100 ml. found near the mouths of the Raisin and Detroit Rivers.
Fecal coliform densities ranged from 5 to 30 percent of the total, and
geometric mean fecal streptococci were less than 80 per 100 ml. at $11
locations .-^ _. , . i .,,•--"- "'"• r'i
All bathing beaches along the Michigan shore of Lake Erie had
geometric mean coliform densities of less than 1,000 organisms per 100
ml., except Maple Beach, located in the influence of the Detroit River.
Geometric mean coliform densities at Sterling State Park beaches ap-
proached 1,000 organisms per 100 ml., but here relatively low means
mask exceptionally high individual values which appeared under certain
conditions of wind and weather, some exceeding 100,000 organisms per
100 ml. These maximums represent a hazard to health of water users.
Fecal coliform and fecal streptococcus densities along the Lake Erie
beaches were noticeably higher than in adjacent Lake waters.
20
-------
Bacteriological densities in Lake Erie from the mouth of the
v'-'Detroit River to a point 2 to 3 miles to the south are such that the
I--, water cannot safely be used for recreational purposes. Following heavy
•s ; rainfall in the Detroit area, the zone of polluted water extends south-
Ł, ward to Stony Point and outward from the Raisin River.
Dissolved Oxygen. Most of the Michigan waters of Lake Erie dis-
\ play high levels of dissolved oxygen. Two areas of low values were
found near the mouths of the Detroit and Raisin River, with the more
: widespread effect radiating southward from the mouth of the Detroit
River. In the immediate vicinity of the mouth of the Raisin River, com-
plete depletion of oxygen was found, but within one-half mile into the
'• Lake the levels recovered. Values as low as 4.8 mg/1 and 58$ saturation
were found in the area south of the mouth of the Detroit River. Here
the area of depressed values extends southwest 4 - 6 miles.
While present oxygen levels in the Lake do not yet cause major
interferences with water use, the drop to 4.8 mg/1 represents a threat
to water uses in the Lake. Unless appropriate remedial action is taken
now, the situation will almost certainly worsen.
•'*' Phenols. Average phenol concentrations ranged from 1 to 16 ug/1,
,,/with 5 out of 23 Lake stations exceeding 2 ug/1. Hine out of 17 beach
-'" stations had phenols averaging over 2 ug/1, but all were under 5 ug/1.
out of 7 tributaries showed phenols averaging over 2 ug/1, but only
2 exceeded 4 ug/1.
Phenols can cause disagreeable tastes and odors in drinking water,
taint the flesh of fish, and, in high concentrations, kill fish and
other aquatic___lif&.--"TKere is no evidence of damage to Lake Erie water
fry "phenols at this time.
Chlorides. Average chloride concentrations in the Michigan waters
of Lake Erie ranged from 18 to 44 mg/1, with the higher values along
shore and near the mouth of the Detroit River. Chlorides can interfere
with domestic and industrial water use by causing objectionable tastes
in drinking water and corrosion in industrial equipment.
present levels do not interfere with water use, the year-by-year
increase at the Monroe water intake is noted as a warning of future
problems.
Suspended and Settleable Solids. Suspended solids concentrations
near Lake Erie bathing beaches ranged from 80 - 165 mg/1; Lake Erie
itself had concentrations of 11 to 25 mg/1. Suspended solids in Lake
Erie were highest near the mouths of the Raisin and Detroit Rivers, and
have reached levels which interfere with water uses by settling out on
the Lake bottom. These bottom deposits interfere with navigation, kill
fish eggs and fish-food organisms, destroy spawning beds, and clog the
gills and respiratory passages of fish.
21
-------
Cyanides. Cyanides were found at the mouth of the Raisin River
and once at Sterling State Park nearby in concentrations exceeding PHS
drinking water standards and recommended maximums for protection of
fish. Their presence in the water, even in minute quantities, poses a
threat to fish and wildlife.
Iron. Average iron concentrations exceeding 0.30 mg/1 were
found near the mouth of the Detroit and Raisin Rivers. Iron is toxic
to certain species of fish even in low concentrations; excessive quan-
tities of iron can also cause tastes in municipal water supplies and
stains in laundry, vegetables and plumbing fixtures.
Nitrogen. A pattern of high concentrations of nitrogen compounds
radiates outward from the Detroit River. High levels of nitrates
ranging from 0.35 "to 0.50 mg/1 were found in Brest Bay, and ammonia
concentrations exceeding 0.30 mg/1 extended down into the Lake approxi-
mately 10 miles from the mouth of the Detroit River. Inorganic nitrogen
exceeds 0.30 mg/1 in over 85 percent of the Michigan waters of Lake Erie.
Nitrogen in Lake Erie acts as a nutrient for algae and undesirable
slimes which, in turn, can result in obnoxious odors; ammonia in parti-
cular interferes with domestic water treatment.
Phosphates. Phosphates also nourish objectionable algae and
slimes, which add to general turbidity. Areas of high total phosphate
concentration (0.20 - 0.50 mg/1) extended from the Detroit River south
to Stony Point. Three areas of soluble phosphate exceed 0.10 mg/1 as
phosphate or 0.03 &s phosphorus. One extends 6-8 miles south from
the mouth of the Detroit River, one radiates out 1-2 miles from the
Raisin River, and the third extends upward 3 - **• miles from the Ohio
State Line.
Over 85 percent of the Michigan waters of Lake Erie contain in-
organic nitrogen and soluble phosphates in excessive concentrations.
The result has been undesirable algal blooms and serious interferences
with water use. The City of Monroe has already been forced to move its
water supply intake in order to avoid objectionable tastes and odors
from algae.
Biology. Massive colonies of the filamentous slime bacteria
Sphaerotilus, or "sewage fungus", and the filamentous green alga Cla-
dophora were found at most stations in Lake Erie and along the bathing
beaches near Bolles Harbor and in Brest Bay. These slimes, indicative
of pollution, have fouled the nets of fishermen, interfered with boat-
ing, and washed up on beaches decaying and smelling.
Lake Erie also supports dense populations of plant and animal^,
plankters, sometime~s~Ss""dernse ss^22^^^^aiL» These microscopic/''^eea-
f 1 -aat 1 ng FIniaia 11f in large numbersT-^an create nuisances: they clog
filters in water plants, produce unpleasant tastes and odors in drinking
water, and make the Lake water highly turbid.
22
-------
Study of the bottom animal associations revealed polluted areas
adjacent to the Raisin River and Sterling State Park, and at the mouth
of the Detroit River extending in the shape of a fan out into the Lake.
Samples from the River below sources of pollution and from the Lake did
not contain a single burrowing mayfly. The elimination of pollution-
sensitive organisms such as these rob fish of much food, and may.tlirnrvfto.n
certain species of fish, vi^fe extinct4on»
Sources and Characteristics of Wastes
Over 95 percent of the waste constituents discharged from Michigan
sources to Lake Erie originates from the Detroit River. The daily dis-
charge from the United States portion of the River into Lake Erie con-
tains the following loadings:
1. Over 10,000,000 pounds of chlorides.
2. Over 2,000 pounds of phenols.
3. Over 7,000,000 pounds of settleable solids.
k. Over 250,000 pounds of iron.
5. Over 200,000 pounds of phosphates.
6. Over 130,000 pounds of ammonia.
7. Over 300,000 pounds of total nitrogen.
After the Detroit River, the major polluter of Michigan Lake Erie
is the Raisin River. The chief municipal waste discharge to the Raisin
is from Monroe. The Monroe Sewage Treatment Plant provides primary
treatment and, during the summer, chlorination, and its operation is
excellent. Efficiency in removal of suspended solids (62$) and BOD
(59$) is high for a primary treatment plant, and bacterial control dur-
ing chlorination is also good.
Although Monroe has separated its sewer system, a portion of the
sanitary sewers still receives runoff from roofs, during__and_aŁt«i:~--3?ain-
f*H-. This results in hydraulic overloading at the plant, with a sub-
sequent drop in efficiency,^ e-speeiail-y-in fflaiflterrance-^1 a chlorine
residual in the effluent whjich will adequately reduce coliform or-
ganisms. ' •) . , ' ' • " ••'• , '•"'•"
During the summer most bacterial loadings discharged to the Raisin
River and subsequently to Lake Erie from the Monroe plant are signifi-
cantly less than those from industrial sources. During non-chlorination
months, however, the municipal plant is a significant source of coliform
organisms to the Raisin River. Nitrogen and phosphorus compounds in the
River originate in almost equal proportions from industrial and municipal
sources.
769-765 O-65-4
23
-------
Monroe industries discharge, daily, to the Raisin River:
1. Wastes equivalent in oxygen consuming capacity to raw sevage
from a population of 225,000.
2. Over 23,000 pounds of suspended solids, including 7>800 pounds
of settleable solids.
3. Over 1,000 gallons of oil.
h. Over 1,000 pounds of cyanides.
5. Over 1,000 pounds of phosphates.
6. 16,000 pounds of chlorides.
7. Coliform bacteria -with, maximum densities more than 3 million
per 100 ml. " -- -
< >• \a!
8. Fecal coliforms with-maximum densities more than 100,000 per/ml.
9. Fecal streptococci vith maximum densities more than 51>000 per
100 ml.
The lover Raisin River is frequently completely devoid of dissolved
oxygen, resulting in a continuous state of putrefaction during the summer
months. All uses of the lover Raisin River except vaste disposal and
navigation have been eliminated by pollution and deposits of^"setrte^JLe>
solids. Navigation is also hampered, and extensive annual dredging at
the mouth is required to remove deposited vastes and keep the channels
open for routine ship movement. Bacterial counts in the lover River
make any recreational use of the water hazardous. The detrimental
effect of the Raisin River upon the Lake is evident in the enrichment
of the waters of the western basin and the high coliform levels at
bathing beaches nearb~yr (including Sterling State Park).
In addition to the Raisin River, several other tributaries to Lake
Erie contribute wastes: They are the Huron River, Swan Creek, Stony
Creek, Sandy Creek, Plum Creek and LaPlaisance Creek, with the Huron the
most important. The Huron River carries significant quantities of coli-
form organisms, nitrates, and phosphates. It discharges into a large
marsh at Pointe Mouillee vith no clear pattern of dispersion into the
Lake. The marsh is subject to backwater from the polluted vaters of the
Detroit River discharging into the Lake, and the specific effect of the
Huron on the Lake is masked by this phenomenon. Long retention in the
Pointe Mouillee marsh further complicates an evaluation of the Huron's
share in polluting the Lake. After sources of pollution in the Detroit
River have been substantially reduced, the actual vaste contribution of
the Huron River may be determined.
-------
Sandy Creek discharges into Lake Erie at the northern edge of
Sterling State Park, and is usually of poor bacteriological quality.
Much of the time its flow is reversed, since the intake of the Ford
Motor Co. plant and several paper mills that use its water exceed its
normal flow. At periods of high runoff, however, its flow is higher
(up to 60 cfs), and on such occasions it had an adverse effect on Lake
Erie water. /
Stony Creek and a/small boat harbor ne^r its mouth also have high
coliform densities, and in times of heavy rain contributed wastes to the
Lake.
Another important source of waste discharge into Lake Erie is
storm-caused overflow. All along Lake Erie are shorefront pumping
stations designed to receive surface drainage and automatically discharge
it, untreated, into the Lake during or following rainfall. Discharge
from improperly functioning septic tanks reaches the pumping stations
along with surface storm runoff. A portion of Monroe's sanitary sewers
still receives roof runoff, and this burdens the sewage treatment plant
which must bypass directly to the River, without treatment except chlo-
rination, all wastes over 10 MGD. In addition, a flood relief pumping
station along the Raisin River interceptor bypasses the plant when
unusually heavy rainfall or flood stage of the River inundates the
sewer. The effect of storm-caused overflow on the River is most evident
above known sources of pollution. In August 1963 a heavy rain caused
the flood pumping station to operate for one hour, and coliform den-
sities jumped to 10 times normal levels.
Unsewered shorefront houses also discharge sewage directly, or
from improperly functioning septic tanks, to Lake Erie. Several tri-
butaries, including Plum Creek and Sandy Creek, also receive such wastes.
Commercial and pleasure boats make heavy use of the Michigan waters
of Lake Erie, and all such craft represent potential sources of pollu-
tion from oil and human wastes. Several reports of oil spills in the
middle of the Lake waters under study indicate actual pollution from
these sources.
-------
TABLE 12-VI. SUMMARY OF AVERAGE DAILY LOADING OF INDUSTRIAL WASTES BY EACH
INDUSTRY TO RAISIN RIVER AT MONROE V
BOD
Industry Ibs.
Consolidated Paper 17,204
North Plant
Consolidated Paper 7,000
South Plant
Ford Motor Company 48
Monroe Auto Equipment
Monroe Paper 1 , 900
Products
Union Bag- Camp 11,770
Paper Co.
Total Raisin 37,900
River(l)
Susp. Sett.
BOD Sol. Sol. Chlorides Oil
P. E. Ibs. Ibs. Ibs. gal.
101,000 7,823
42,000 10,600
287 8
780
5,300
3 16
NO WASTE CONSTITUENTS
11,400 1,475
70,000 3,587
225,000 23,500
1,400
320
7, 800 16
0 123
0 36
000 870
Phenols Cyanides
Ibs.
11.0
0.5
3.8
Ibs.
0
0
1,075
Chro- Phos-
Copper mium phates
Ibs. Ibs. Ibs.
00
/-""X
0 0 / 9 \
/ \
700 136 / 1,046
OF SIGNIFICANCE /
120 5
0 92
000 1,130
0.6
5.9
21.8
0
0
, 1,075^)
V ,--''
3 0 0
1
0 0 ' 0
;
703 136 \ 1,060 /
V /
(1) Rounded to three significant figures. ^ ^ -~ — /
r
26
-------
Special Studies
In connection vith the overall study of Lake Erie, several
special studies were carried out on specific pollution problems not
clearly defined by the routine investigations. The special studies
included: three intensive surveys of the Raisin River, a pollution
study of the Maple-Millevilie Beach area, collection and analysis of
bottom deposits in the Lake, hydrologic and current studies, and an
investigation of bacterial contamination at Sterling State Park.
(Results from the first three studies have been reported in the main
body of this summary.)
Hydrologic Studies. The hydrologic studies shoved, in general,
that vind is the primary factor influencing water movement in the
Michigan waters of Lake Erie except in the Detroit River debouchment
where flow from the Detroit River is the predominant factor. Specific
findings of special interest include the following:
1. The combination of wind patterns and Detroit River flow is
such that polluted Detroit River water can affect water quality at
beaches as far south as Swan Creek 75 to 85$ of the time.
, 2,^ Predominant winds are southerly, producing northerly currents
^ ko to h-5% of the time. Northerly currents in turn bring polluted
/^Raisin River water up to Sterling State Park beaches, accounting in
/ part for the erratically high bacterial counts observed there.
3. Winds from the northeast and east, which occur approximately
of the time, could bring polluted Detroit River water into Brest/
\Bay if they blew steadily two days or more. '/'/"••
Sterling State Park. Study of bacterial contamination at Sterling
State Park beach revealed several sources of the pollution. The Raisin
River, as mentioned above, is probably the chief contributor of high
coliform counts, since northerly currents are predominant^ When
southerly currents prevail, waste discharges from tributaries to the
north of the Park, and from malfunctioning septic tanks affect the
beach water. Control of these sources of pollution should restore
water quality at the Park to levels safe for swimming.
Interferences with Water Uses
Municipal Water Supply. Algal growths in Lake Erie have in the
past caused serious taste and odor problems in the public water supply
of Monroe, and threaten to do so again. Ammonia concentrations at the
Monroe water intake tend to lessen the effectiveness of chlorination.
27
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Industrial Water Supply* Increasing chloride levels are a warning
of future difficulties, for chlorides can cause corrosion in industrial
equipment. The Raisin River is so grossly polluted in its lower reaches
that it is offensive to sight and smell, and undesirable as a source
of industrial water supply.
Recreation. Restriction of recreational opportunities in Lake Erie
and its Michigan tributaries may be the worst damage from pollution,
inestimable in dollar figures. At beaches near the mouth of the Detroit
River, any kind of water contact sports—even water skiing or boating-
is hazardous. The beaches at Sterling State Park, in heavy demand by a
metropolitan population of nearly four million (projected to reach 5?
million by 1980), have had to be posted as unsafe for swimming. The
beaches themselves are often offensive due to the washing ashore of
rotting plant life and decomposing matter of sewage and industrial
origin.
Fish and Wildlife Propagation. Sludge deposits on the bottom of
Lake Erie threaten to destroy the food and habitat that make life pos-
sible for game fish. Large areas of Michigan Lake Erie's bottom are
inhabited only by pollution-tolerant organisms such as leeches and
sludgeworms. Fish kills have been caused by discharges of oil and in
I960 a heavy discharge of untreated waste killed... 10,000 to 12,000 ducks
near the mouth of the Detroit River. Heavy^ algae blooms and dense
populations of plankton add to the turbidity of the Lake water.
Navigation. Sludge deposits at the mouth of the Raisin and
Detroit Rivers require expensive annual dredging to preserve routine
navigability.
trophication of the Lake. The natural aging of the Michigan
waters of Lake Erie is being accelerated by the discharges of nutrients
and organic wastes. If these discharges are not halted, fertilization
in the Lake may increase uafcil--i% become^' unusable for most purposes.
28
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RECOMMENDATIONS
I. Introduction ........... ..... 31
II. General Recommendations . 32
III. Specific Recommendations . 3^
A. Detroit River 3^
1. Municipal Waste Treatment 3^
Detroit (Belle Isle Sevage Treatment Plant)....
Detroit (Main Treatment Plant). 3^
Wayne County (Wyandotte Plant) 35
Wayne County (Trenton Plan§ 37
Wayne County (Grosse lie Plant). 37
2. Industrial Waste Treatment 38
Upper Detroit River Industries
Allied Chemical Corporation.................. 38
Anaconda-American Brass Company. 0 38
Great Lakes Steel Corporation 38
Parke-Davis Company .. 39
Revere Copper and Brass, Inc 39
United States Rubber Company 39
Rouge River Industries
Allied Chemical Corporation (General Division) ^0
Allied Chemical Corporation (Plastics Division) ^0
Allied Chemical Corporation (Semet-Solvay Process) **0
Allied Chemical Corporation (Solvay Process). ^0
American Agricultural Chemical Company k-0
American Cement Corporation (Peerless Division) kl
Darling and Company , 1^1
Ford Motor Company Ul
Scott Paper Company.. k2
Lover Detroit River Industries
Chrysler Corporation (Amplex Division) k$
Chrysler Corporation (Cycleweld Division)...., U3
Chrysler Corporation (Engine Division) U3
Dana Corporation. 1*3
Dupont & Co. (industrial & Biochemical Division) i*3
Firestone Tire and Rubber Company k$
Fuel Oil Corporation kk
Great Lakes Steel Corporation - Strip Mill.... kk
-------
Lower Detroit River Industries (Continued)
Great Lakes Steel Corporation - Ecorse bk
Koppers Company ^5
McLouth Steel Corporation - Gibraltar ^5
McLouth Steel Corporation - Trenton............ ^5
Mobil Oil Company ^
Monsanto Chemical Corporation. ^
Pennsalt Chemicals Corporation - East Plant.... ^7
Pennsalt Chemicals Corporation - West Plant.... ^7
Shawinigan Resins Corporation and Monsanto
Chemical Corporation (Saflex Division) ^
Wyandotte Chemicals Corporation - North Plant.. *&
Wyandotte Chemicals Corporation - South Plant.. ^9
Wyandotte Chemicals Corporation - South Plant
(Propylene Oxide) ^9
B. Lake Erie and Tributaries 50
1. Municipal Waste Treatment 50
Monroe Sewage Treatment Plant 50
2. Industrial Waste Treatment 51
Enrico Fermi Atomic Reactor 51
Consolidated Paper Company - North Plant........ 51
Consolidated Paper Company - South Plant. 51
Ford Motor Company 52
Monroe Auto Equipment Company 53
Monroe Paper Products Company 53
Union Bag-Camp Paper Company 5^
C. Special Problems 55
1. Overflows from Combined Sewers 55
2. Federal Installations 55
U.S. Naval Air Station 55
U.S. Coast Guard Station 56
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Dredging Operations 56
3. Sterling State Park 57
30
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RECOMMENDATIONS
I. INTRODUCTION
Recommendations for abating -water pollution interfering with vater
use in the Detroit River, the Michigan waters of Lake Erie, and their
tributaries vill be made in two groups: general recommendations, cover-
ing the broad objectives of pollution abatement in the Project area,
followed by specific recommendations for the solution of particular prob-
lems. All recommendations concerning municipal and industrial wastes
refer only to Michigan facilities whose discharges reach the Detroit
River or Lake Erie either directly or through a tributary.
The specific recommendations are offered in addition to, and not
in place of, the general recommendations.
The recommendations which limit the effluent concentration of a
particular waste constituent are made with the goal of reduction of
overall loadings from a facility. If changes in concentration are
brought about by increased dilution, combination of outfalls, or other
methods without reducing waste loading, a corresponding decrease in
recommended waste concentrations will be required.
While artificial fertilization of the Michigan waters of Lake
Erie is a severe problem, no recommendations are made at this time con-
cerning the installation of specialized treatment facilities designed
to reduce phosphorus and nitrogen compounds in the effluent of muni-
cipal waste treatment works. Proper operation of secondary treatment
facilities of the activated sludge type will result in significantly
greater removal of these constitutents than that produced by primary
treatment alone. „.<-
31
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II. GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS
The following are the general recommendations of the Detroit
River-Lake Erie Project staff.
It is recommended that:
1. All municipalities provide a minimum of secondary treatment
plus adequate disinfection of the effluent.
2. Sewerage systems with collection sewers terminating in adequate
treatment facilities be provided in those areas along the Michigan
shore of Lake Erie and the Detroit River where sewers do not now exist
and homes discharge either raw wastes or septic tank effluent to the
watercourse.
3. All industries in the area discharging waste material to the
public waters maintain an inventory of all waste treatment equipment
and supplies on the plant premises so that a minimum delay in effective
waste treatment will result when replacement or repair is necessary..
h. A program be developed to reduce the likelihood of accidental
spills of waste material to the river. In-plant surveys with the pur-
pose of anticipating possible accidents are recommended.
5. All new sewerage facilities be designed to prevent the necessity
of bypassing untreated wastes during maintenance and renovation operations.
6. Municipal waste treatment plants regularly analyze all waste
constitutents contributing to pollution found in significant quantities
in their wastes, as specified by the Michigan Water Resources Commission.
T. Industries discharging wastes to the public streams furnish
operating records to the Michigan Water Resources Commission containing
information on waste discharges and concentrations as specified by the
Commission. I
8. Regular monitoring of the Detroit River, Lake Erie, and their
tributaries be conducted cooperatively by the Michigan Water Resources
Commission and the Public Health Service. Such monitoring should in-
clude regular sampling of waste effluents and overflows from combined
f sewers. Use of aerial techniques for reconnaissance and pollution sur-
[\yeillance as practiced by the Michigan Water Resources Commission is
'\ encouraged and expansion of this activity recommended. Monitoring
should include surveillance of oil discharge from vessels.
9. A PHS Water Pollution Control Surveillance Station (formerly
National Water Quality Network Station) be established in the lower
-------
section of the Detroit River. This would be in addition to the network
station now in operation at the head of the Detroit River. Two stations
would illustrate the waste burden put into the Detroit River and the
change in its condition as it flows toward the Lake as well as indicate
changes in water quality after improvements have been made.
10. The U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare, through
the auspices of the International Joint Commission, bring to the atten-
tion of Canadian water pollution control authorities the significant
waste contributions from Canadian sources on the Upper St. Clair River
adversely affecting water quality in the United States section of the
Detroit River. They should be encouraged to bring about more effective
pollution abatement to protect downstream water use.
~i>'"r<"'
.v^ ° '" )•
33
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III. SPECIFIC RECOMMENDATIONS
A. Detroit River
1. Municipal Waste Treatment
Detroit (Belle Isle Sewage Treatment Plant)
This plant discharges an effluent of low waste concentrations, and
treatment efficiency is within accepted limits for this type of facility.
Total coliform. and fecal streptococcus densities in the effluent were
high (7,890,000 and 297,000)/but should be expected in this type of
plant without chlorination,/^ .
The City of Detroit plans to abandon this plant and pump sewage
from Belle Isle across to the mainland and into the Detroit system.
Such a plan is recommended as the most practical under the circumstances.
Until this plan can be carried out, it is recommended that full-time
chlorination of the plant effluent be instituted, capable of producing
an effluent withmonthly geometric mean coliform densities not exceeding
5,000/100 ml. This recommendation is made to prevent interference with
municipal water supplies and recreational use of water.
Detroit (Main Treatment Plant)
Sewage influent at the Detroit plant is of average strength from
the standpoint of BOD -and suspended solids concentrations but contains
high levels of waste constituents normally not associated with municipal
wastes, including oil and grease, phenols, copper, iron, chromium,
nickel, zinc, and lead.
/t , Average phenol and oil concentrations in the effluent exceed 20
ing/1 and 15 fl^s/1 respectively. Ammonia-nitrogen concentrations and
loadings In the effluent are excessive, as is the phosphate effluent
concentration (36 mg/1 and 1^5,000 Ibs/day). Efficiency in removal of
settleable solids (52$), suspended solids (39%), and BOD (17$) is poor,
indicating an overloaded and in some respects inadequate primary
facility (e.g., the holding time in the settling basins is less than
one hour).
Bacteria removal during the survey was excellent and density in
the effluent very low. This presumably was accomplished by raising the
level of chlorination; and while averages during the survey do not cor-
respond with mean monthly averages during the study period, they show
that effective bacterial control can be accomplished.
-------
Waste loadings from the
only responsible for a large
the lover Detroit River but a
air
so,
plant of the City of Detroit are not
of the degradation of the waters of
constitute a major source of nitrogen
compounds and the major source of phosphates going into and contributing
to the fertilization of Lake Erie. The major contribution of waste
constituents from municipal sources being discharged into the Detroit
River and subsequently into Lake Erie originates from this plant.
It is recommended that:
1. A minimum of secondary treatment facilities be provided capable
of producing an effluent not to exceed:
a. Suspended solids concentration of 35 fflg/1
b. Settleable solids concentration of 5 mg/l
c. ,Ammonia concentration of 2 mg/1
d. Phenol concentration of 20/*g/l
e«, Oil concentration of 15 mg/1
f. Biochemical oxygen demand of 20 mg/1
2. Bacterial reduction facilities be operated at levels capable
of providing an effluent with a monthly geometric mean coliform density
of less than 5>000 organisms per 100 ml.
3. A technical committee appointed by the conferees will evaluate
actual phosphate removal of the secondary treatment plant after it is
in operation. On the basis of this evaluation, if further facilities for
the removal of phosphates are necessary, the conferees will consider
making such a recommendation. A similar program will be put into effect
concerning removal of nitrogen compounds;
The above recommendations have been made to prevent interference
with domestic water supplies, recreational use of water, navigation,
and fish and wildlife propagation.
Wayne County Sewage Treatment Plant (Wyandotte)
The plant was greatly overloaded when the Project began, and it
was necessary to bypass untreated wastes for a portion of most days to
the Detroit River, Enlargement of primary facilities was designed to
alleviate this condition. The surveys performed at this plant by the
Project staff were made on the original facilities, and do not reflect
the recent enlargement.
35
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Two surveys at this plant revealed in Influent sewage of average
strength in terms of BOD and suspended s^JBs, but with other waste
constituents at levels normally not associated with domestic sewage
(phenols, oil and grease, iron, chromium, copper, cadmium, nickel, zinc,
and lead).
Average concentrations of suspended solids and settleable solids
and discharges to the River were high during the two surveys. Average
BOD in the effluent during the first survey was 120 mg/1, with a popu-
lation equivalent of 132,000 discharged. Levels of nitrogen compounds
were significant, and phosphate concentrations were at ho mg/1 (un-
usually high) with a loading of 7>200 pounds per day.
Bacteriological control was excellent during the first survey when
chlorination of the effluent was practiced. Geometric mean densities for
total coliforms, fecal coliforms, and fecal streptococci during the
first survey were less than 100 organisms per 100 ml. Study of plant
operation records reveals that these results were not typical, but it is
encouraging to note once again that results in this magnitude can be
obtained. During the second survey effluent chlorination was not
practiced, and geometric means for total coliforms, fecal coliforms,
and fecal streptococci exceeded one million per 100 ml.
Discharges of suspended solids, nitrogen compounds, phosphates,
and organic matter from the Wyandotte plant contribute significantly to
tŁe degradation of the Detroit River and the fertilization of Lake Erie.
It is recommended that:
1. A minimum of secondary treatment facilities be provided capable
of producing an effluent containing not more than:
a. Suspended solids concentration of 35 mg/1
b. Settleable solids concentration of 5 mg/1
c. Oil concentration of 15 rag/1
d. Biochemical oxygen demand of 20 mg/1
\<:
2. Bacterial reduction facilities be operated at levels capable of
providing an effluent with a monthly geometric mean coliform density of
less than 5,000 organisms per 100 ml during the months of April through
November.
3. A technical committee appointed by the conferees will evaluate
actual phosphate removal of the secondary treatment plant after it is
in operation. On the basis of this evaluation, if further facilities
for the removal of phosphates are necessary, the conferees will consider
-------
making such a recommendation. A similar program vill be put into effect
concerning removal of nitrogen compounds.
The above recommendations are made to protect recreational use of
water, navigation, and fish and wildlife propagation.
Wayne County Sewage Treatment Plant (Trenton)
It is recommended that :
1. A minimum of secondary treatment facilities be provided capable
of producing an effluent not to exceed:
a. Suspended solids concentration of 35 mg/l
b. Settleable solids concentration of 5
2. Bacterial reduction facilities be operated at levels capable
of producing an effluent with a monthly geometric mean coliform densi-
ty of less than 5,000 organisms per 100 ml during the months of April
through November.
The above recommendations are made to prevent interference with
recreational use of water and fish and wildlife propagation.
Wayne County Sewage Treatment Plant (Grosse lie)
It is recommended that :
1. A minimum of secondary treatment facilities be provided
capable of producing an effluent not to exceed:
a. Suspended solids concentration of 35
b. Settleable solids concentration of 5
2. Bacterial reduction facilities be operated at levels capable of
producing an effluent with a monthly geometric mean coliform density
of less than 5,000 organisms per 100 ml during the months of April
through November.
»
The above recommendations are made to prevent interference with
recreational use of water and fish and wildlife propagation.
37
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2. Industrial Waste Treatment
Upper Detroit River
Allied Chemical Corporation (Solvay Process)
Wastes from thisjjlant have high concentrations of suspended and
settleable solids,^pTienols, and chlorides. Chloride loadings from this
source represent approximately 20 percent of the entire industrial
loading to the Detroit River. Suspended and settleable solids loadings
and effluent concentrations indicate a lack of waste control.
It is recommended that:
1. Facilities be provided capable of producing an effluent not
to exceed:
a. Suspended solids concentration of 35 nig/1
b. Settleable solids concentration of 5 mS/l
2. The industry begin investigation of satisfactory methods of
disposing of chlorides and alternate methods of disposal of concentrated
brines, such as subsurface disposal.
The above recommendations are made to prevent interference with
navigation and fish and wildlife propagation and to protect municipal
and industrial vater supply. \
Anaconda-American Brass Company
Wastes discharged from this source were not found to interfere
with existing water uses in the Detroit River or Lake Erie.
Great Lakes Steel Corporation - Blast Furnace Divisions
Waste treatment facilities provided for the removal of phenols and
suspended solids are ineffective. Nearly 100 percent of the suspended
solids in the plant effluent were found to be readily settleable.
It is recommended that:
1. Facilities be provided capable of producing an effluent not
to exceed:
38
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a. Suspended solids concentration of 35 nig/1
b. Settleable solids concentration of 5
c. Phenol concentration of 20
d. Ammonia concentration of 2 mg/1
The above recommendation is made to prevent interference with
municipal -water supplies, navigation, and fish and wildlife propagation.
Parke-Davis Company
Waste treatment at this installation is considered satisfactory at
this time, and no specific recommendations for improvement are made.
Revere Copper and Brass, Inc.
The concentrations of oil and settleable solids in the effluent
from this installation are excessive. All of the suspended solids
released by this industry are readily settleable.
It is recommended that:
Facilities be provided capable of producing an effluent con-
taining not more than:
a0 Suspended solids concentration of 35 mg/1
b. Settleable solids concentration of 5 mg/1
c. Oil concentration of 15 tng/1
This recommendation is made to prevent interference with navigation
and fish and wildlife propagation,.
United States Rubber Company
Waste treatment at this installation is considered satisfactory at
this time, and no specific recommendations are made.
39
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Rouge River Industries
Allied Chemical Corporation (General Division)
Wastes discharged from this source were not found to interfere
with existing water uses in the Detroit River or Michigan Lake Erie.
Allied Chemical Corporation (Plastics Division)
Wastes discharged from this source were not found to interfere with
existing water uses in the Detroit River or Michigan Lake Erie.
Allied Chemical Corporation (Semet-Solvay)
Wastes discharged from this source, with the exception of oil
discharges as reported by the Michigan Water Resources Commission, were
not found to interfere with existing water uses in the Detroit River or
Michigan Lake Erie.
Allied Chemical Corporation (Solvay Process)
^__^.._Wasies from this plant have excessively high concentrations of
/phelaols and chlorides. Chloride loadings represent approximately 10
\ pea?ee«t of the entire industrial load to the Detroit River. Suspended
\ ' solids loadings averaged 10,000 pounds per day.
•1
v d It is recommended that:
Y 1. Facilities be provided capable of producing an effluent not
, -'I to exceed:
0 ; a. Suspended solids concentration of 35 rag/1
\J b. Settleable solids concentration of 5
2. The industry should begin investigations of satisfactory
methods of disposing of chlorides and alternate methods of disposal of
concentrated brine, such as subsurface disposal.
The above recommendations are made to prevent interference with
navigation and fish and wildlife propagation and to protect municipal
and industrial water supply.
American Agricultural Chemical Company
Waste treatment at this installation is considered satisfactory at
this time, and no specific recommendations are made.
to
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American Cement Corporation (Peerless Division)
Suspended solids, almost all of which are readily settleable, are
present in excessive concentrations in the plant effluent. It is recom-
mended that the effluent concentrations of suspended solids and settleable
solids be limited to 35 mg/1 and 5 mg/1, respectively.
The foregoing recommendation is made to prevent interference with
navigation and fish and wildlife propagation.
Darling and Company
Survey reports indicate inadequate facilities for control of BOD and
coliform organisms. This plant discharges to the Rouge, and subsequently
to the Detroit River, wastes equivalent in oxygen-consuming capacity to
the untreated wastes of over 40,000 persons.
It is recommended that:
Facilities be provided capable of producing an effluent not to
exceed:
a. Monthly geometric mean coliform density of 5,000/100 ml
b. Biochemical oxygen demand of 20 mg/1
The above recommendations are made to protect municipal water supply
and prevent interference with fish and wildlife propagation.
Ford Motor Company
Wastes from this plant represent, in volume, approximately 83 per-
cent of the industrial wastes being discharged into the Rouge and sub-
sequently into the Detroit River. Phenolic wastes exceed the limit of
600 pounds per day set by the Michigan Water Resources Commission. Con-
centrations of iron, phenols, and oil exceed IT mg/1, 20 /ug/1, and 15
mg/1, respectively. Suspended and especially settleable solids are ex-
cessive at times, while excellent control was achieved on other occassions,
Acid discharged in the form of spent pickling liquor is excessive and
imparts an unnatural color to the Rouge and Detroit Rivers.
Phenols, iron, and oil and grease from this industry constitute
over 90 percent of the loading from industrial sources to the Rouge
River. Improvement must be accomplished at this source if significant
reduction in waste loadings to the Rouge River and subsequently to the
Detroit River is to be effected.
It is recommended that:
1. Facilities be provided or existing facilities operated to pro-
duce an effluent not to exceed:
hi
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a. Suspended solids concentration of 35 mg/1
b. Settleable solids concentration of 5 mg/1
c. Phenol concentration of 20 jJ.g/1
d. Ammonia concentration Of 2 rag/1
e. Iron concentration of IT mg/1
2. Oil removal facilities be operated to limit the oil concen-
tration in the effluent to 15 mg/1. In addition, the industry should
investigate methods of further reduction in oil discharged in the plant
effluent by in-plant control.
The above recommendations are made to prevent interference with
municipal water supplies, recreational use of water, navigation, and
fish and wildlife propagation.
Scott Paper Company
The effluent contains excessive quantities of suspended solids.
Over 31*000 pounds of suspended solids per day are discharged to the
Rouge and subsequently to the Detroit River. This industry discharges
to the receiving stream wastes equivalent in oxygen-consuming capacity
to the untreated sewage from a population of over 800,000 persons.
It is recommended that facilities be provided capable of producing
an effluent not to exceed:
a. Suspended solids concentration of 35 nig/1
b. Settleable solids concentration of 5 mg/1
•wf c. Biochemical oxygen demand of 85 mg/1
_..,; \
This recommendation is made to prevent interference with navigation
and fish and wildlife propagation.
-------
Lover Detroit River
Chrysler Corporation (Amplex Division)
Pollution control is considered satisfactory at this time, and no
specific recommendations for improvement are made.
Chrysler Corporation (Cycleweld Division)
Pollution control is considered satisfactory at this time, and no
specific recommendations for improvement are made.
Chrysler Corporation (Engine Division)
Wastes discharged from this source were not found to interfere with
existing water uses in the Detroit River or Michigan Lake Erie.
Dana Corporation
Wastes discharged from this source were not found to interfere with
existing water uses in the Detroit River or Michigan Lake Erie.
E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company
(industrial and Biochemical Division)
This company was found not to be in compliance with the restriction
on 'pH set for it by the Michigan Water Resources Commission
Firestone Tire and Rubber Company
Excessive concentrations of iron were found in the plant effluent.
Over 5>000 pounds per day of this substance were discharged to the
Detroit River.
It is recommended that iron concentration in the effluent be reduced
to levels not exceeding 17 mg/1.
The above recommendation is made to prevent interference with fish
and wildlife propagation.
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Fuel Oil Corporation
Excessive concentrations of oil were found in the effluent from
this installation when ships were being vashed. At these times the
concentrations are over 300 mg/1.
No specific recommendations for improvement are made, since the
Michigan Water Resources Commission has reported that this industry
has recently suspended ship-washing operations. It is recommended not
to permit resumption of such operations until controls are instituted
to limit oil in the effluent to 15 mg/1.
Great Lakes Steel Corporation -»Strip Mill
Excessive quantities of suspended solids and settleable solids
are discharged to the Detroit River. Since the major portion of these
suspended solids is readily settleable, it is recommended that the
concentration of settleable solids be limited to 5 nig/1 and the con-
centration of suspended solids to 35 nig/1. The Michigan Water Re-
sources Commission reports excessive oil discharges, and controls should
be instituted to limit effluent to conform with the Commission's order.
This recommendation is made to prevent interference with naviga-
tion and fish and wildlife propagation.
Great Lakes Steel Corporation - Ecorse
Excessive concentrations and significant quantities of oil, iron,
suspended solids, settleable solids, and acid are discharged. Over
50 percent of the iron and acid loadings to the Detroit River originate
here. Effluents containing acid wastes are far below pH 5.5, and these
wastes are mainly responsible for lowering the Detroit River below pH
U.O in the vicinity of the plant.
It is recommended that :
1. Acid wastes be controlled so that discharges fall within the
range pH 5.
2. Facilities be provided or existing facilities operated to
produce an effluent not to exceed:
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a. Oil concentration of 15 rag/1
b. Suspended solids concentration of 35 mg/1
c. Settleable solids concentration of 5 rag/1
d. Iron concentration of IT mg/1
The foregoing recommendations are made to prevent interference vith
municipal water supplies, recreational use of waters, navigation, and
fish and wildlife propagation.
Koppers Company
Waste discharges from this source were not found to interfere with
existing water uses in the Detroit River or Michigan Lake Erie.
McLouth Steel Corporation - Gibraltar
''''•{•'
ontrol of oil, iron, and suspended solids discharges at this plant
marginal, with improvement noted during the last months of study.
It is recommended that:
All waste treatment practices be reviewed and steps taken to improve
the effluent to conform consistently to the Order of Determination
issued by the Michigan Water Resources Commission.
McLouth Steel Corporation - Trenton
The waste treatment facilities of this installation have been very
erratically operated from the standpoint of control of suspended solids,
settleable solids, iron, phenols, oil, and pH. At times excellent
treatment was achieved; at other times complete lack of treatment effec-
tiveness was observed, with concentrations of solids, oil, phenols, and
iron exceeding the Order of Determination of the Michigan Water Resources
Commission.
Since it has been demonstrated that this industry can achieve
effective pollution control by operation of its existing facilities, it
is recommended that steps be taken to assure an effluent not to exceed:
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a. Iron concentration of 1? mg/1
b. Suspended solids concentration of 35 mS/l
c. Settleat>le solids concentration of 5
d. Oil concentration of 15 mg/1
Mobil Oil Company
During the survey the concentration of oil in the plant effluentvas
excessive, and additional grab samples before and after the survey
indicated erratic operation. Effective operation of the industry's
oil separation facilities should also improve suspended solids removal.
It is recommended that:
1. Existing facilities be operated effectively or additional
facilities provided to assure an oil concentration in the effluent
not to exceed 15 mg/1 at all times.
2. Suspended solids and settleable solids in the effluent be
maintained belov 35 rag/I an(^ 5 mg/1.
The above recommendations are made to prevent interference vith
fish and vildlife propagation.
Monsanto Chemical Corporation
Waste treatment at this installation is satisfactory vith the
exception of phosphate concentrations and loadings in the plant effluent.
Over 10,000 pounds per day of phosphates are discharged into the Detroit
River.
It is recommended that treatment be provided to reduce concentrations
and loadings of phosphates by approximately 80$.
The above recommendation is made to prevent interference with fish
and vildlife propagation, recreation, and municipal vater supply.
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Pennsalt Chemical Corporation - East Plant
The concentrations of chlorides, suspended solids, and settleable
solids in the plant effluent vere excessive. Approximately Jp million
pounds of chlorides per day vere discharged to the Detroit River,
representing about 20 percent of the total chloride discharge to the
River.
It is recommended that:
1. Treatment facilities be installed to reduce the suspended
solids in the plant effluent not to exceed 35 mg/1 and settleable
solids to 5 mg/1.
2. The industry begin investigation of satisfactory methods for
disposing of chlorides and alternate methods of disposal of
concentrated brines, such as subsurface disposal.
The above recommendations are made to prevent interference with
navigation and fish and wildlife propagation and to protect municipal
and industrial water supply.
Pennsalt Chemical Corporation - West Plant
Wastes from this plant had excessive concentrations of phenols,
suspended solids, and settleable solids. Phenol concentrations were
found over 1,000 pg/1 but no interference with existing water uses in
the Detroit River or Michigan Lake Erie was apparent at this time.
It is recommended that:
1. The entire waste disposal program of 'this plant be carefully
investigated by company personnel, since discharge of phenols,
oxidizing agents, and settleable solids is far in excess of that
expected by company officials.
2. Facilities be provided or existing facilities operated to
produce an effluent not exceeding:
a. Suspended solids concentration of 35
b. Settleable solids concentration of 5
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The above recommendations are made to prevent interference with
navigation and fish and vildlife propagation.
Shavinigan Resins Corporation and
Monsanto Chemical Corporation (Saflex Division)
The wastes from these two plants are discharged to the Detroit
River from a common lagoon. During the survey the only waste con-
stituents considered excessive were BOD and suspended solids (originating
primarily from Shawinigan Resins). The planned installation of a new
lagoon after the survey should reduce these levels considerably; there-
fore no recommendations for improvement are made at this time.
Wyandotte Chemicals Corporation - North Plant
Concentrations of chlorides, suspended solids, and settleable
solids in the plant effluent were excessive. The contribution of
chlorides in the amount of 1,300,000, pounds/ iper day represents almost
half the entire industrial loading^ro c^he''Detroit River. The suspended
and settleable solids loadings from this industry represent 35 percent
of the total loadings to the Detroit River from industrial sources.
The composition of the suspended solids (most of which are readily
settleable) is mainly calcium carbonate. This chemical is only slightly
soluble in water and will readily settle out in clarifiers. Sludge
from this operation when discharged to the River will settle on the
River and Lake bottom and interfere with aquatic life.
It is recommended that:
1. Facilities be provided capable of producing an effluent
not to exceed:
a. Suspended solids concentration of 35 rog/1
b. Settleable solids concentration of 5 mg/1
2, The industry continue investigation of satisfactory methods
of disposing of chlorides, and alternate methods of disposal of
concentrated brines, such as subsurface disposal.
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These recommendations are made to prevent interference with
navigation and fish and wildlife propagation and to protect municipal
and industrial water supply.
Wyandotte Chemicals Corporation - South Plant
Heavily concentrated wastes are pumped from this plant to the
waste beds of Fighting Island. The remainder of the plant effluent
is discharged to the Detroit River and contains excessive concentra-
tions of chlorides and suspended solids.
It is recommended that:
1. Facilities be provided capable of producing an effluent not
to exceed:
a. Suspended solids concentration of 35 nig/1
b. Settleable solids concentration of 5 mg/1
2. The industry continue investigation of satisfactory methods
of disposing of chlorides and alternate methods of disposal of
concentrated brines, such as subsurface disposal.
These recommendations are made to prevent interference with
navigation and fish and wildlife propagation and to protect municipal
and industrial water supply.
Wyandotte Chemicals Corporation - South Plant (Propylene Oxide)
Wastes discharged from this source were not found to interfere
with existing water uses in the Detroit River or Michigan Lake Erie,
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B. Lake Erie and Tributaries
The maintenance of adequate levels of dissolved oxygen in the
lover Raisin River is the mutual responsibility of all discharging oxygen-
demanding vastes into the River. Each recommendation made in this regard
is to be understood as part of this mutual responsibility, and no
industry or municipality is singly responsible for achieving the recom-
mended DO level.
1. Municipal Waste Treatment
Monroe Sewage Treatment Plant
Two surveys revealed an influent fairly typical of a weak domestic
waste. Exceptions to this general observation include high concentra-
tions of soluble and total phosphates and certain toxic metals,
including copper, zinc, and lead. These constituents were present in
approximately the same concentrations in the plant effluent.
Plant efficiency, as measured by percent removal of suspended
solids and BOD, was very good for a primary sewage treatment plant.
Bacterial control was effective during the first survey when the
effluent was chlorinated but poor during the second survey when it
was not. Study of operating records revealed that similar degrees of
plant efficiency were maintained on a long-term basis. The operation
of this plant is considered outstanding for an installation of this
type, and the operating personnel are commended.
It is recommended that:
1. Treatment be provided capable of assuring a minimum dissolved
oxygen concentration in the Raisin River below this source of
3 mg/1. Any plan for achieving this goal shoixLd include secondary
treatment as a minimum.
2. Bacterial reduction facilities be operated at levels capable
of providing an effluent with a monthly geometric mean coliform
density of less than 5,000 organisms per 100 ml. during the
months of April through November.
3. The current plan of separating roof runoff from sanitary
wastes to prevent overloading plant facilities be accelerated.
The above recommendations are made to prevent interference with
recreational use of water and fish and wildlife propagation.
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2. Industrial Waste Treatment
Enrico Fermi Atomic Reactor
Waste treatment was found to be satisfactory, and no specific
recommendations are made at this time.
Consolidated Paper Company - Rorth Plant
Significant quantities of suspended solids, settleable solids, and
BOD are discharged into the Raisin River and subsequently into Lake
Erie. The wastes from this industry are equivalent in oxygen-consuming
capacity to the untreated wastes from a population of over 100,000
persons, or approximately U5 percent of the total load to the Raisin
River. Densities of coliform and fecal streptococcus organisms were
also excessive.
It is recommended that:
1. Treatment be provided capable of assuring a minimum dissolved
oxygen concentration in the Raisin River below this source of
3 mg/1. Any plan for achieving this goal should include secondary
treatment as a minimum.
2. Bacterial reduction facilities be provided and operated at
levels capable of producing an effluent with a monthly geometric
mean coliform density of less than 5>000 organisms per 100 ml
during the months of April through November.
3. Facilities be provided capable of producing an effluent not
to exceed:
a. Suspended solids concentration of 35 mg/1
b. Settleable solids concentration of 5
The above recommendations are made to prevent interference with
recreational use of water, navigation, and fish and wildlife propagation.
Consolidated Paper Company - South Plant
Significant quantities and high concentrations of suspended solids,
settleable solids, and BOD are discharged into the Raisin River and
subsequently into Lake Erie. The wastes from this industry are equivalent
in oxygen-consuming capacity to the untreated wastes of over 40,000
persons. Densities of coliform and fecal streptococcus organisms are
unusually excessive, averaging over 1,000,000 total coliform organisms
per 100 ml during the special survey.
51
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It is recommended that:
1. Treatment be provided capable of assuring a minimum dissolved
oxygen concentration in the Raisin River below this source of
3 mg/1. Any plan for achieving this goal should include secondary
treatment as a minimum.
2. Bacterial reduction facilities be provided and operated
at levels capable of producing an effluent with a monthly geometric
mean coliform density of less than 5,000 organisms per 100 ml
during the months of April through November.
3. Facilities be provided capable of producing an effluent not
to exceed:
a. Suspended solids concentration of 35 mg/1
b. Settleable solids concentration of 5
The above recommendations are made to prevent interference vith
recreational use of water, navigation, and fish and wildlife propaga-
tion.
Ford Motor Company
The discharge from this plant represents 80 percent of the total
waste volume from industrial sources discharged to the Raisin River
and subsequently into Lake Erie. Cyanide concentrations and loadings
in the plant effluent are excessive. The effluent from the company-
owned sewage treatment plant is not chlorinated. The quantity of oil
released to the Raisin River through a dilution canal outlet is exces-
sive even though the concentration remains below 15 mg/1.
It is recommended that:
1. Bacterial reduction facilities be provided and operated at
levels capable of producing an effluent with a monthly geometric
mean coliform density of less than 5,000 organisms per 100 ml
during the months of April through November
2. Treatment facilities be operated to limit the cyanide
concentration in the plant effluent to 0.025 mg/1.
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3. Oil removal facilities be provided to limit the concentra-
tions of oil reaching the dilution canal from in-plant sources
to 15 mg/1.
The foregoing recommendations are made to prevent interference
•with recreational use of water and fish and wildlife propagation.
Monroe Auto Equipment Company
Waste treatment at this installation is considered satisfactory
at this time, and no specific recommendations for improvement are
made.
Monroe Paper Products Company
Significant quantities and high concentrations of suspended
solids, settleable solids, and BOD are discharged from this source
into the Raisin River and subsequently into Lake Erie. The major
portion of the suspended solids is readily settleable. Densities
of coliform organisms were found to be excessive during the first
survey at 32,^00 organisms per 100 ml; however, during a separate
Public Health Service survey several months later, the average coliform
concentration exceeded 2,000,000 organisms per 100 ml.
It is recommended that:
1. Treatment be provided capable of assuring a minimum dissolved
oxygen concentration in the Raisin River below this source of
3 mg/1. Any plan for achieving this goal should include secondary
treatment as a minimum.
2. Bacterial reduction facilities be provided and operated at
levels capable of producing an effluent with a monthly geometric
mean coliform density of less than 5,000 organisms per 100 ml
during the months of April through November.
3. Facilities be provided capable of producing an effluent not
to exceed:
53
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a. Suspended solids concentration of 35
b. Settleable solids concentration of 5 mg/1
The above recommendations are made to prevent interference with
recreational use of water, navigation, and fish and wildlife propaga-
tion.
Union Bag-Camp Paper Company
River Raisin Division
Significant quantities and high concentrations of suspended
solids, settleable solids, and BOD are discharged from this installa-
tion to the Raisin River and subsequently into Lake Erie. The wastes
from this industry are equivalent in oxygen-consuming capacity to the
untreated wastes of 70,000 persons. A large part of the suspended
solids was readily settleable.
It is recommended that:
1. Treatment be provided capable of assuring a minimum dissolved
oxygen concentration in the Raisin River below this source of
3 mg/1. Any plan for achieving this goal should include secondary
treatment as a minimum.
2. Bacterial reduction facilities be provided and operated at
levels capable of producing an effluent with a monthly geometric
mean coliform density of less than 5»000 organisms per 100 ml
during the month of April through November.
3. Facilities be provided capable of producing an effluent
not exceeding:
a. Suspended solids concentration of 35 mg/1
b. Settleable solids concentration of 5 nig/1
The above recommendations are made to prevent interference with
recreational use of water, navigation, and fish and wildlife propagation.
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C. Special Problems
I. Overflows from Combined Sewers
Although the severe effect of overflows from combined sewers
upon water quality in the Detroit River and limited areas of Michigan
Lake Erie was demonstrated, a specific method of approach to the
solution of this problem is not now evident.
It is recommended to the Michigan Water Resources Commission that
it require a detailed engineering study be made to determine costs and
select an effective method of control. It is also recommended that
a report of these investigations, containing the method to be used to
solve this problem and a time schedule for accomplishment, be submitted
within two years to the Secretary of Health, Education, and Welfare.
It is further recommended that agencies responsible for the current
operation of combined sewer systems in the Detroit area immediately
take steps to lessen the pollutional effects of malfunctioning overflow
regulators by finding and correcting the cause of failure of these
diversion devices and checking the operation of all overflows every
day to determine if unnecessary overflows are occurring.
2. Federal Installations
U. S. Naval Air Station, Grosse lie, Michigan
It is recommended that:
1. A separator capable of producing an effluent containing
less than 15 mg/1 oil be installed on the line receiving
aircraft washing wastes.
2. Operation of existing sewage treatment facilities be
improved by performing such procedures as breaking up scum
in gas vents, reversal of flow at periodic intervals, more
frequent withdrawal of sludge, and daily scraping of the
sides of the sedimentation chamber.
3. Better operation records be maintained.
55
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k. Continuous and effective chlorination of plant effluent be
practiced to assure that the geometric mean coliform density
does not exceed 2,^00 organisms per 100 ml.
5. The outmoded septic tank installation at the boat dock be
replaced with an aerobic digestion treatment unit providing
primary and secondary treatment followed by chlorination of the
effluent.
6. If the U. S. Naval Air Station does not close on or before
September 1, 1967* as scheduled, one of two alternatives be
followed:
a. Connection to the municipal sewage collection and
treatment system proposed for construction at Grosse lie.
b. Enlargement of the present naval facilities to include
secondary treatment as proposed in the original plans.
At this writing the Navy has agreed to all of the foregoing
recommendations and has already taken steps to accomplish all but
the last recommendation.
U. S. Coast Guard Station - Detroit River Light
It is recommended that a macerator-chlorination type treatment
unit similar to those placed aboard motor launches be installed to
the sanitary waste line now discharging raw sewage into Lake Erie.
U. S. Corps of Engineers Dredging Operations
It is recommended that:
1. The hopper dredges discontinue disposing of the ship's trash
and garbage at the Raisin River dumping grounds.
2. Suitable treatment units be installed aboard ship to adequately
dispose of all sanitary wastes including trash, garbage, and human
excreta.
3. Closer control be exercised to minimize the loss of dredge
material from the hoppers while proceeding to the dumping grounds.
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1*. A vigorous attempt be made by the Corps of Engineers to
reduce the amount of dredging vith action leading to reduction
of discharge of settleable material by increasing the charges
to polluters for removing the material commensurate •with the
damages to water uses incurred, (it is believed that it was
not the intent of Congress that such dredging operations should
provide a method of disposal of solid material deposited by
individuals or corporations in navigable streams.) It is
desirable not only that dredged channels be maintained but that
every means possible be taken to keep the cost of such maintenance
to a minimum.
The District Engineer has agreed to take steps to see that the
recommendations are put into effect. He reiterated that the Corps of
Engineers does charge the polluters for removing the material commen-
surate with the damages to water uses incurred and that the Corps of
Engineers does not have any statutory authority to prevent the original
discharge of the material to the navigable waterway. He also stressed
the responsibility of the Corps of Engineers in enforcing Federal
legislation relative to discharge of waste materials from vessels into
navigable waters.
3. Sterling State Park
These recommendations repeat those already given for specific areas;
they are listed here to emphasize what is necessary to abate water pollu-
tion at Sterling State Park.
A. The Consolidated Paper Company, Union Bag-Camp Paper Company,
and Monroe Paper Products Company. It is recommended that:
1. Treatment be provided, capable of assuring a minimum
dissolved oxygen concentration in the Baisin River below
this source of 3 mg/1. Any plan for achieving this goal should
include secondary treatment as a minimum.
2. Bacterial reduction facilities be provided and operated at
levels capable of producing an effluent with a monthly geometric
mean coliform density of less than 5000 organisms per 100 ml
during the months of April through November.
57
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3. Facilities be provided capable of producing an effluent
not to exceed:
a. Suspended solids concentration of 35
b. Settleable solids concentration of 5
B. The Ford Motor Company. It is recommended that:
1. Bacterial reduction facilities be provided and operated at
levels capable of producing an effluent with a monthly geometric
mean coliform density of less than 5000 organisms per 100 ml
during the months of April through November.
2. Treatment facilities be operated to limit the cyanide
concentration in the plant effluent to 0.025 mg/1.
3. Oil removal facilities be provided to limit the concentration
of oil reaching the dilution canal from in-plant sources to
15 mg/1.
C. The City of Monroe. It is recommended that:
1. Treatment be provided capable of assuring a minimum dissolved
oxygen concentration in the Raisin River below this source of
3 mg/1. Any plan for achieving this goal should include secondary
treatment as a minimum.
2. Bacterial reduction facilities be operated at levels capable
of providing an effluent with a monthly geometric mean coliform
density of less than 5000 organisms per 100 ml during the months
of April through November.
3. The current plan of separating roof runoff from sanitary
wastes to prevent overloading plant facilities be accelerated.
D. In the area north of Sterling State Park between Sandy Creek
and Stony Creek, it is recommended that measures be taken to eliminate
direct and indirect discharge of sanitary sewage to Lake Erie. It is
also recommended that discharge of sanitary wastes to the storm
pumping stations be eliminated.
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E. Septic tanks tend to function poorly due to the nature of the
soil and the high water table. It is recommended that shorefront
communities having septic tanks and direct discharge installations
be severed and the -wastes transported to a sewage treatment plant
providing adequate treatment and chlorination.
F. It is recommended that the practice of allowing discharge of
rav and septic tank effluent from the suburban area outside Monroe
to surface drains be discontinued. This material is discharged
into the Raisin River during heavy rainfall. It is further recom-
mended that the area be severed with sanitary wastes transported to
a sewage treatment plant providing adequate treatment and chlorina-
tion.
The foregoing recommendations are listed in the order of greatest
importance to improving water quality at the Sterling State Park.
59
U S GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1945 O—799-765
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