A WATER POLLUTION INVESTIGATION
OF THE
DETROIT RIVER
AND THE
MICHIGAN WATERS OF LAKE ERIE
SECTION V
PRESENTATION OF RESULTS
DETROIT RIVER
U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
Public Health Service
Division of Water Supply and Pollution Control - Region V
Detroit River-Lake Erie Project
-------
A WATER POLLUTION INVESTIGATION
OF THE
DETROIT RIVER
AND THE
MICHIGAN WATERS OF LAKE ERIE
SECTION V
PRESENTATION OF RESULTS
DETROIT RIVER
U.S. Department of Health, Education, and Welfare
Public Health Service
Division of 'later Supply and Pollution Control
Detroit River-Lake Erie Project
- Region V
-------
SECTION V
PRESENTATION OF RESULTS
DETROIT RIVER
-------
DESCRIPTION OF WATER QUALITY AND EXTENT OF POLLUTION
DETROIT RIVER
A description of existing water quality in the Detroit River and its
tributaries will be made by reviewing sampling results in the vater6 under
study both qualitatively and quantitatively. This narrative will be sup-
plemented by maps, graphs, and charts to more clearly depict existing leveli
of various measures of water quality.
Bacteriology
Statistical study of the bacteriological data revealed that below the
headwaters two distinct log normal populations exist - one during dry weathi
and one during or following significant rainfall - thus coliform concentra-
tions are described in terms of wet and dry conditions. At the headwaters
of the Detroit River coliform concentrations were very low, with little
difference between wet or dry. The concentrations ranged from approximated
100 organisms per 100 ml near the Michigan shore to 15 organisms per 100 ml
near the International Boundary. Further downstream at the north end of
Belle Isle the coliform concentration increased to 260 organisms per 100 ml
during dry conditions and 680 per 100 ml during wet conditions. Gradual
increase in coliform concentration during dry weather was noted at downstrei
stations with values of approximately 500 organisms per 100 ml. Wet weathe
values of approximately 7,000 organisms per 100 ml were noted at this locat
Below the Rouge River the average dry weather conditions during the
survey approximated U,000 organisms per 100 ml near the United States shore
1-7
-------
while values during wet conditions rose to an average of 81,000 organisms per.
100 ml. Further downstream average coliform concentrations stayed at these
high levels.
In the Trenton Channel, lover coliform results were noted along the west
shore. At the mouth of the Detroit River, the average total coliform concen-
tration during dry conditions iras 5>900 organisms per 100 ml near the Michigan
shore. These results are summarized in Figure 1-V. This figure also shows
the consistently lower coliform concentrations in the middle of the river,
with higher values at each shore.
Figure 2-V depicts on a map of the Detroit River zones of geometric mean
total coliform concentrations during wet conditions as well as location of
domestic water intakes, domestic waste outfalls, and combined sewer overflows.
Four zones with limits of less than 1,000, 1,000-2,400, 2,400-5,000, and
greater than 5>°00 coliform organisms per 100 ml are shown. For the head of
the Detroit River to Belle Isle the water is predominantly in the first zone,
representing average values less than 1,000 organisms per 100 ml. From Belle
Isle to the Rouge River the middle of the river remains in this clean water
zone, while both United States and Canadian shores indicate bacterial pollu-
tion in all of the remaining zones. Below the Rouge River, almost all the
water is greater than 2fk00 organisms and most greater than 5,000 organisms
per 100 ml.
Figure 3-V shows the total coliform organism picture under dry conditions.
This portrays a brighter picture from the standpoint of desirable water
quality. The first zone, representing water under 1,000 organisms per 100 ml,
extends to the old channel of the Rouge River and then in the middle of the
Detroit River to Grosse lie. From this point downstream the clean water zone
2-V
-------
PAGE NOT
AVAILABLE
DIGITALLY
-------
PAGE NOT
AVAILABLE
DIGITALLY
-------
PAGE NOT
AVAILABLE
DIGITALLY
-------
is almost entirely in Canadian waters. Dovnstream from the Rouge adjacent
to the United States shore the values are all greater than 2,^00 organisms
per 100 ml except for a small area near the Grosse lie toll bridge.
Bacterial concentrations in this area may be affected by toxic substances in
industrial wastes. From Grosse lie to the mouth, all United States waters
are in the zones representing average values of 2,1*00-5,000, or greater than
5,000 total coliform organisms per 100 ml under dry or wet conditions.
Fecal coliform and fecal streptococci determinations were made on routine
samples and during intensive surveys on the river. The per cent fecal coliform
during the study ranged from 30 to 90 per cent with higher values observed
below the Rouge River during wet conditions. This was especially evident
during an intensive survey performed in July 1963 during which almost 2 inches
of rain fell in a 10-day period. At the mouth of the river the fecal coli-
form concentrations ranged from 30 to 65 per cent. Fecal streptococci vere
observed in concentrations less than either fecal or total coliform organisms.
This was especially true during vet conditions. The relationship between
total coliform, fecal coliform, and fecal streptococci concentrations at
selected stations during dry and wet conditions is shown in Figures 5-V
through 8-V.
Conners Creek was the only tributary regularly sampled in the upper
Detroit River because of its significance as the receiving stream for
combined overflows from the Conner gravity system of the City of Detroit.
The geometric mean total coliform concentrations were 25,000 organisms per
100 ml at the two stations sampled during dry conditions and 260,000
organisms per 100 ml during wet conditions. Fecal coliform per cent of the
total averaged per cent. Fecal streptococci concentrations were low at
3-V
-------
100,000
SURE 5-2
10,000
C/5
DC
O
O
tr
Ui
a.
to
5
CO
z
<
o
ir
o
1,000
100
10
I
v
V
>
\
1 \
1 \
\ \
\ V
*
'
\
\
^ V—
—^—w
•
V
•
\
•
•
•
1 I I I
1 I I I
1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1
500
1000 1500 2000 0 500 1000
FEET FROM WEST SHORE
JUNE JULY
1500 2000
LEGEND
TOTAL COLIFORM
FECAL COLIFORM
FECAL STREPTOCOCCI
ALL VALUES GEOMETRIC MEANS,
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
TOTAL COLIFORM, FECAL COLIFORM a FECAL STREPTOCOCCI
JUNE, a JULY 1963 INTENSIVE SURVEYS
RANGE DT 20.6
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, a WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V OROSSE ILE , MICHIGAN
-------
FIGURE 6-2.
JUNE JULY
LEGEND
——— TOTAL COLIFORM
— — — — FECAL COLIFORM
FECAL STREPTOCOCCI
ALL VALUES GEOMETRIC MEANS
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
TOTAL COLIFORM, FECAL COLIFORM & FECAL STREPTOCOCCI
JUNE a JULY 1963 INTENSIVE SURVEYS
RANGE DTI7.4W
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, a WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE I LE, MICHIGAN
-------
RE 7-31
100,000
10,000
(A
0C
UJ
O
O
•
•
•
•
•
1111 11111
1 111 11 111
IMIMIII
11
I I
1000 2000
FEET
JUNE
3000 0
FROM WEST
1000
SHORE
JULY
2000
3000
LEGEND
i TOTAL COLIFORM
FECAL COLIFORM
FECAL STREPTOCOCCI
ALL VALUES GEOMETRIC MEANS
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
TOTAL COLIFORM, FECAL COLIFORM 8 FECAL STREPTOCOCCI
JUNE a JULY 1963 INTENSIVE SURVEYS
RANGE DT 14.6W
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, a WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
FIGURE B-Y
100,000
10,000
V)
a:
Ui
_J
1
o
o
a:
ui
0.
(O
2
(O
z
<
o
QC
o
1,000
100
10
A
J
w
J
J
•"
, \
* •
•
e
•
*
. »
•. %
•
^
•
•
-A
•
k
~
•
•
0
1 1 1
1 1 1
1 1 1
1 1 1
1 1 1
/
^V\
W
/
/
\
%
/
V
- ^
•
• _ _
1 1 1
1 1 1
1 1 1
1 1 1
1 1 1
LEGEND
2000 4000 6000 8000 0 2000 4000 6000 6000
FEET FROM WEST SHORE
JUNE JULY
TOTAL COLIFORM
FECAL COLIFORM
FECAL STREPTOCOCCI
ALL VALUES GEOMETRIC MEANS
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
TOTAL COLIFORM, FECAL COLIFORM a FECAL STREPTOCOCCI
JUNE a JULY 1963 INTENSIVE SURVEYS
RANGE DT3.9
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, 8 WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
this tributary with average concentrations of b60 and 500 organisms per 100
ml at the two locations.
The Rouge River, the major tributary of the Detroit River, was observed
to have a geometric mean of 18,000 total coliform organisms per 100 ml
during dry conditions. During wet conditions the average concentration was
150,000 organisms per 100 ml. A considerable improvement in this respect
vas noted in 1963 compared with 1962 sampling. Average fecal streptococci
concentrations were 810 organisms per 100 ml. The average per cent fecal
coliform concentration at this point was 40 per cent of the total coliform
concentration.
Results from Ecorse River showed a geometric mean total coliform
concentration of 62,000 organisms per 100 ml during dry conditions, with
average values in excess of 1,000,000 total coliform organisms per 100 ml
during wet conditions. Fecal streptococci results average 5*900 organisms
per 100 ml with fecal coliform ^5 per cent of the total coliform concentra-
tions.
Monguagon Creek, in the lower river, averaged 1+20 total coliform onan-
isms per 100 ml during the survey, with correspondingly lov total coliform
and fecal coliform results.
Geometric mean or average values give a valuable measure of central
tendency or general water quality conditions in a river or lake but tend to
mask the extreme values which are important from the standpoint of many water
uses, especially those affecting human health and welfare. For this purpose,
Table 1-V lists maximum observed bacteriological values and expected 95 per
cent levels at key ranges in the Detroit River and its tributaries. The 95
per cent values represent levels which can be expected to be exceeded 5 per
cent of the time and less than 95 per cent of the time. A quick glance reveals
-------
a maximum value of ^,900 total coliform organisms per 100 ml at the head of
the Detroit River, increasing to 770,000 organisms per 100 ml below the
Rouge River and ^30,000 organisms per 100 ml at the mouth of the River. The
\
95 per cent levels at these same locations during dry conditions are 3*900,
8U,000, and 260,000 total coliform organisms per 100 ml respectively. During
wet conditions the corresponding values are 15,000, 16,000,000, and 11,000,00C
total coliform organisms per 100 ml. It is interesting to note that only
one of 216 samples at the head of the Detroit River exceeded 1,000 total
coliform organisms per 100 ml.
Table 1-V also shows the expected variation or standard error of the near
coliform concentrations computed for ranges in the Detroit River durin.~ dry
and wet conditions. The spread from the mean of two standard errors gives
some indication of the confidence of reported geometric mean values. This
information is shown graphically in Figure Ia-V and is another method of
presenting the facts depicted in Figure I-V. These indicate a wide spre&d
in the 95 per cent values during wet conditions and a relatively small
variation from the mean during dry weather. The two tables also show a
narrow range of expected variation in the mean value, indicating reliable
estimates of this statistic. For example, the true mean coliform value at
the head of the Detroit River during dry conditions can be estimated to lie
within the limits of 7^ and 170 organisms per 100 ml with 95 per cent
confidence. The extreme variation in the 5 per cent and 95 per cent tolerance
limits for coliform values at certain stations is attributable to a relatively
small sample size encountered during wet conditions compared to the number of
samples collected during dry conditions.
5-v
-------
TAPLE 1-V, TOTAL COLIFORM CONCi^IT'RjVl'IONS
WET AND DRY CONDITIONS
Range
Maximum
Value
Geo.
Mean •
Geo.Mean
+ 2 SEa
A
DRY
Geo.Mean
- 2SEa
Tolerance
Upt>er
(95$)
Limit
Lower
w
DT 30.8W
100'
710
110
170
7*
3,900
: : 3
300'
700
68
100
*5
3,300
1
500'
300
*2
6*
28
870
2
1,000'
200
2*
37
16
570
1
2,500'
130
15
23
10
500
< 1
DT 30.7E
/
15
500'*
100
3*
7
360
< 1
850'*
1,100
*0
95
17
3,300
< 1
980'*
86,000
1,300
3,100
580
570,000
3
DT 28.*W
y
100'
*0,000
260
*00
170
16,000
*
300'
6,700
61
95
39
3,700
< 1
700'
2,600
*0
62
26
1,300
1
1,300'
360
38
60
2*
1,100
1
nr. 26.8^
52'
3,500
300
*90
180
7,300
12
169'
*,200
260.
*20
160
6, *00
10
292'
570
91
150
57
2,100
*
421'
930
*9
80
31
2,200
1
689'
1*0
2b
38
15
*90
1
1,09V
270
11
17
7
190
< 1
i,vr8'
1*0
10
17
6
3*0
< 1
1,903'
*20
11
18
7
250
< 1
a - sampled 11-19-62 through *-10-63 only.
* - Canadian stations
SUMMARY STATISTICS
WET
Geo.
Mean
Geo.Mean
+ 2 sea
A
Geo.Mean
- 2SEa
Tolerance
Upper
(95$)
Limit
Lover
(5%)
130
230
70
6,600
2
87
160
*8
15,000
< 1
37
73
19
5,200
< 1
' 22
*1
12
10,000
< 1
19
3J+
10
5.100
< 1
67
130
35
5,000
< 1
58
120
28
1*0,000
< 1
1,200
2,500
570
750,000
2
680
2,200
220
8,800,000
< 1
210
670
66
80,000
< 1
130
*60
35
27,000,000
< 1
53
170
17
25,000
< 1
Insufficient wet data
to compute results
-------
TABLE 1-V. TOTAL CO J. CONCENTRATIONS - SUMMARY STATISTICS
WET AND Diar CONDITIONS - Continued
Range
Maximum
Value
Geo.
Mean
Geo.Mean
+ 2 SE.
A
DRY
Geo.Mean
" 2 sea
Tolerance
Upper
(95$)
Limit
Lov/er
(5$)
Geo.
Mean
Geo.Mean
, 2 SEa
WET
Geo.Mean
- 2 SE.
A
DT 25.7
50'
390,000
1,200
2,100
630
1+3,000
31
7,100
17,000
3,000
100'
5^0,000
530
980
290
9,800
29
2,300
5,000
1,100
300'
780,000
2b 0
U6 0
150
l+,900
12
680
1,600
290
600 *
20,000
72
130
39
2,900
2
150
330
70
2,000'
310
26
1+8
ll+
490
1
5^
130
23
3,1+00'
120,000
1,300
2,500
720
270,000
7
7,900
21,000
3,000
DT 20.6
5"
32,000
530
810
3U0
5,200
5^
3,600
29,000
580
50'
310,000
580
890
380
5,600
61
l+,800
30,000
770
200'
270,000
560
860
360
k,600
69
6,600
1+2,000
1,100
hO0'
220,000
250
380
170
2,700
2k
6,700
1+2,000
1,100
600'
12,000
130
200
87
2,300
8
1,100
6,700
170
TOO'
120,000
130
200
81
1,600
10
1,800
8,600
360
1,000'
100,000
120
180
76
2,700
5
510
2,800
91+
1,500'
70,000
270
k20
170
11,000
6
810
l+,000
170
1,800'
51,000
1,000
1,700
660
31,000
35
1,500
9,600
2l+0
2,000'
l+l+,000
U,300
6,900
2,700
60,000
310
7,300
36,000
1,500
2,300-
85,000
111, 000
22,000
8,700
1+70,000
1+20
26,000
11+0,000
l+,700
DT 19.0
1001
1+1+ 0,000
3,800
8,200
1,700
54,000
51+0,000
5,300
200"
750,000
Moo
9,1+00
2,000
80,000
820,000
7,900
300'
860,000
3,600
7,800
1,600
82,000
830,000
8,100
1+00'
750,000
3,300
7,200
1,500
75,000
760,000
7,1+00
800*
890,000
21+0
510
110
9,500
96,000
930
1,000'
700,000
160
350
7*+
8,1+00
85,000
830
1,500'
100
67
220
21
2,000'
1+00
1U0
Wo
U3
2,200'
300
130
1*90
36
Tolerance Limit
Upper Lover
(95$) (5$)
2,200,000
k,JOO
10,000,000
3,900,000
S,h00,000,000
1+70,000,000
330,000,000
8,600,000
1,800,000
3,1+00,000
. 1,100,000
6,1+00,000'
290,000
1,100,000
< 1
< 1
< 1
< 1
< 1
. 6
3
270
11
< 1
< 1
2
1
1
1
<
<
<
190
590
-------
TABLE 1-V. TOTAL COLIFORM CONCENTRATIONS - SUMMARY STATISTICS
VJET AND DRY CONDITIONS - Continued
Range
Maximum
Value
Geo.
Mean
Geo.Mean
+ 2 SEa
A
DRY
Geo.Mean
- 2 SEa
A
Tolerance
Upper
{95$)
: Limit
Lower
(%)
Geo.
Mean
Geo.Mean
+ 2 SEa
WET
Geo.Mean
- a sea
Tolerance
Upper
(95$)
Limit
Lower
w
DT 19-0 cont.
2,300'
1,800
560
1,800
180
2,1+00'
10,000
2,300
7,^00
720
2,500'
18,000
l+,900
16,000
1,500
DT 17.UW
100'
250,000
3,300
i*,900
2,200
51,000
210
19,000
38,000
9,600
2,100,000
170
200'
1*50,000
l+,l+00
6,700
3,000
56,000
350
18,000
37,000
8,1+00
13,000,000
-23
1)00'
ll+0,000
3,500
5,200
2,300
36,000
3*+o
15,000
30,000
' 7,500
2,000,000
110
Boo"
310,000
2,700
1*,100
1,800
33,000
230
13,000
27,000
6,100
1+, 000,000
1+1
1,200'
300,000
1,000
1,600
700
5k,000
20
5,000
10,000
2,500
k,900,000
6
1,600*
19,000
590
880
390
iU,ooo
2l+
2,500
5,100
1,300
2,000,000
3
2,200'*
17,000
390
600
260
9,600
16
- 650
1,1+00
310
390,000
l
DT 17.OE
1+00'*
28,000
3,200
1*,700
2,100
73,000
lHO
8,200
ll+,000
i+,8oo
31+0,000
190
700'*
1*1,000
9,500
ll+,000
6,1+00
100,000
870
13,000
30,000
7,1+00
130,000
1,300
9001*
110,000
21,000
32,000
11+, 000
170,000
2,600
23,000
1+0,000
lk,000
500,000
1,100
DT 1U.6W
20'
630,000
l+,200
5,900
3,000
8k,000
210
59,000
9k,000
37,000
16,000,000
220
100'
770,000
1*,900
6,800
3,500
1*2,000
560
1+7,000
75,000
30,000
13,000,000
170
200'
620,000
3,800
5,1*00
2,700
60,000
250
50,000
80,000
32,000
6,300,000
1+00
300'
1*80,000
3,800
5,600
2,700
1*6,000
330
31,000
1+9,000
20,000
6,000,000
160
koo1
520,000
3,700
5,200
2,700
38,000
360
1*1,000
67,000
25,000
6,300,000
270
800'
1+1*0,000
2,800
3,100
1,600
33,000
1U0
36,000
57,000
22,000
12,000,000
110
1,000'
380,000
2,100
3,000
1,500
30,000
ll+O
26,000
1+2,000
17,000
3,700,000
190
2,0001
200,000
1,500
2,200
1,100
1+9,000
1*8
16,000
25,000
10,000
3,300,000
77
3,000"
55,000
650
9U0
1*60
37,000
12
7,200
11,000
l+,500
790,000
65
-------
TABLE 1-V. TOTAL COLIFORM CONCENTRATIONS - SUMMARY STATISTICS
VfET AND
DRY CONDITIONS -
Continued
DEBT
WET
Vf AO n
r* AA M An M
Tolerance
Limit
A A M 0 0 vt
f ' A A A A M
Tolerance
Limit
Maximum
Geo.
uCu • rl€nil
, r\ QT?
u0O •r
-------
TABLE 1-V. TOTAL COLIFORM CONCENTRATIONS - StTiELAKY STATISTICS
WET AMD DRY CONDITIONS - Continued
DRY
WET
Geo.Mean
+ 2SEa
Geo.Mean
- 2 sea
Geo.Mean
+ 2SEa
Geo.Mean
- 2SEa
Tolerance
Limit
Maximum
Geo.
Upuer
Lower
Geo.
Upper
Lower
Range
Value
Mean
(95#)
(5#)
Mean
(95$)
(5$)
DT 3-9
2,500'
9U,000
4,100
6,600
2,500
250,000
68
13,000
26,000
7,000
270,000
670
3,500'
1*10,000
3,600
6,000
2,200
170,000
77
18,000
33,000
9,400
2,300,000
130
1*,500-
330,000
5,900
9,500
3,600
180,000
200
20,000
38,000
11,000
2,700,000
160
5,500'
200,000
5,900
9,600
3,600
180,000
190
16,000
32,000
8,500
2,000,000
li*0
6,500'
320,000
3,800
6,200
2,1+00
210,000
70
8,900
27,000
4,600
11,000,000
7
7,500'
300,000
3,000
5,000
1,800
260,000
3h
9,500
18,000
5,100
8,400,000
11
9,500'
110,000
2,000
3,300
1,200
120,000
33
2,700
5,000
1,1*00
"1,200,000-
6
11,500'*
80,000
1,200
2,000
690
31,000
45
3,300
6,200
1,700
1,900,000
6
13,500'*
1*7,000
920
1,600
530
38,000
22
3,600
6,800
1,900
760,000
17
15,000'*
73,000
1,100
1,900
630
38,000
31
2,300
. MOO
1,200
810,000
6
16,500'*
58,000
2,800
If, 800
1,600
130,000
61
3,700
6,900
2,000
1,800,000
8
17,500'*
5*1,000
6,500
11,000
3,800
90,000
1+70
7,500
l4,000
4,000
290,000
190
0 18,500'*
1*2,000
11,000.
19,000
6,200
97,000
1,200
12,000
23,000
6,400
180,000
830
< 19,000'*
51,000
11,000
19,000
6,100
95,000
1,200
15,000
27,000
7,700
290,000
730
19,300'*
39,000
11,000
19,000
6,000
100,000
1,100
12,000
24,000
6,100
260,000
555
-------
Figure 9-V depicts the increase in geometric mean concentrations of total
coliform organisms from the head of the Detroit River at the station nearest
the United States shore. These values; under wet conditions, increased from
130 organisms per 100 ml at the headwaters to 3> 500 organisms per 100 ml
Just above the Rouge River to 59*000 in the lower river and finally, 15,000
organisms per 100 ml at the mouth. Corresponding average concentrations
during dry conditions are 110, 550* 300> and 4,000 organisms per 100 rcl
respectively.
11-V
-------
FIGURE 9-1
0 60,000
O
CO
z
< 4 8,000
o
cc
o
^ 36,000
cr
I-
z
u
o
z
o
O 24,000
z
a:
o
£ 12,000
<
K
o
1
1
H
1
i
¦
1
1
¦ ni n
ll 1
WET CONDITION
SCALE
MILES
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
GEOMETRIC MEAN C0LIF0RM CONCENTRATIONS
DURING WET 8 DRY CONDITIONS
STATION NEAREST U.S. SHORE
DETROIT RIVER
U S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, ft WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
At the head of the Detroit River average total coliform concentrations
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 total coliform concentrations near the United States shore
during wet conditions were 5-10 times higher than corresponding values
during dry weather. At some locations the difference between the two values
became less pronounced in the middle of the river and very little difference
between wet and dry conditions was noted at locations near the Canadian shore.
High total coliform concentrations, especially when accompanied "by high
r
fecal coliform concentrations, indicate the presence of human wastes which
may contain pathogenic organisms capable of causing enteric diseases in
humans. The presence of these organisms in concentrations above acceptable
levels is considered a threat to the health and welfare of those who use this
water for domestic water supply and recreational purposes.
The bacteriological concentrations at the head of the Detroit River
indicate that the water is suitable for all uses from that standpoint. The
Detroit River, between its head and the Rouge River, is also satisfactory
for all uses during dry weather conditions. These statements are based upon
widely used recreational standards of 1,000 organisms per 100 ml and the IJC
objective of 2,U00 organisms per 100 ml. During or following rainfall of
sufficient intensity to cause overflow of combined sewers, the Detroit River
below Belle Isle and above the Rouge River is polluted to the point it cannot
be safely used for recreational purposes. During these periods IJC objectives
are regularly exceeded near the United States shore.
12-V
-------
Conners Creek, the Rouge River, and the Ecorse River are grossly
polluted "by domestic sewage in overflow from combined sewers to a degree that
they should not be used for recreational or domestic water supply purposes.
Pollution in the lower Rouge River should interfere with industrial water
supply as well.
Below the Rouge River and the outfall from the Detroit Sewage Treatment
Plant, pollution, in the United States section of the River (particularly
near the United States shore), increases to the point where these waters
should not be used for recreational purposes or domestic Mater supply. The
high levels during wet and dry conditions indicate a serious health hazard
to potential users of these waters. The seriously polluted zone of the
Detroit River extends from the Rouge River to its mouth. This area extends,
under dry conditions, eastward from the United States shore a distance varying
from 500 to 10,000 feet. During wet conditions the entire United States
portion of the Detroit River below the Rouge River is bacteriologically
polluted to the extent of interference with recreational use and domestic
water supply. These opinions are based not only on geometric mean coliform
»
concentrations which exceed IJC objectives and recreational standards but on
fecal coliform concentrations which constitute a large percentage of the
total count.
13-V
I
I
-------
Chemical arid Physical
Phenols
Average phenol concentrations in the upper Detroit Elver ranged fr
3 to 5 }ig/l» Just below the Rouge River at a station near the United S
shore the average value increased to 35 ^g/l with lower values observed
mid-river. Further downstream but above the Trenton channel these aver
values decreased to 10 ^ig/l near the western shore. In the Trenton cha
the average values rose again to 30 pg/l near the shore and then decrea
to 6 - 9 g/l at the mouth. Figure 10-V shows average phenol concentre
in the Detroit River.
Phenols did not exhibit any type of normal statistical distributic
thus extreme valueB are shown in Figure 10-V and Table 2-V as the maxin
observed value at several key locations and the per cent of samples exc
2 ^ig/l and 5 Jig/l* At the head of the river ^0 - 55 per cent of the sa
exceeded 2 )ig/l while 17 - 35 per cent exceeded 5 ^g/l- Just above the
River 38 " 59 per cent exceeded 2 jig/l while 23 - 5^ per cent exceeded
Below the Rouge River 27 - 88 per cent exceeded 2 )xg/l and 6-69 per c
exceeded 5 ^g/l- At the mouth of the river ^0 - 8^ per cent of the sai
exceeded 2^lg/l and 19 - 68 per cent of the samples exceeded 5/ig/l« 1
maximum value observed in the Detroit River during the survey was l80 y
in the Trenton channel.
Table 3-V shows average and extreme phenol concentrations in the
tributaries of the Detroit River. A maximum value of 10,980^ig/l was
observed in Monguagon Creek and 290 ^ig/l in the Rouge River. Average i
concentrations in the Rouge River, Conners Creek, and Monguagon Creek i
66, 6, and 1,500 ug/l respectively.
ll-V
-------
TABLE 2-V. AVERAGE AMD EXTREME PHENOL CONCENTRATIONS -
DETROIT RIVER
Maximum
Concentration
Range
Observed
Average
Percent
Percent
Feet
JUg/l
JUg/l
>2mz/1
>5Wl
100
12
3
58
13
300 .
27
k
1+8
l6
500
18
k
56
21+
1,000
9
O
J
56
2k
2,500
21
1*
50
16
500*
10
3
50
25
850*
11
k
53
35
980*
28
5
56
33
100
10
2
27
ll+
300
13
2
36
9
TOO
17
3
29
19
1>300
11
2
33
19
52
32
6
61
33
169
28
7
61
39
292
70
8
61
39
1+21
31
5
*+7
35
689
19
5
39
33
1,09^
lk
3
1+7
2k
1,^78
13
k
53
27
1,903
16
k
kj
29
50
ik
3
33
22
* 100
28
5
1+7
21
300
11
3
U2
21
600
1*8
5
25
20
2,000
1+9
5
32
21
3,1+00*
6
1+2
21.
5
2k
l+
36
20-
50
650
5
50
31
200
26
5
38
23
1*00
50
6
l+U
28
600 '
3^
7
1+6
38
700
2k
k
1+2
23
1,000
37
5
38
35
1,500*
35
k
35
19
1,800*
4o
k
30
9
2,000*
20
2
25
17
2,300*
25
0
1+2
21
DT 30.8V/
DT 30.7E
DT 23.kU
DT 26.8W
DT 25-7
DT 20.6
* = Canadian Stations.
15-v
-------
TABLE 2-V. AVERAGE AMD EXTREME PHENOL CONCENTRATIONS
DETROIT RIVER — Continued
Maximum
Concentration
Observed
Average
Percent
Percent
Range
Feet
-Alg/l-
Mg/l
>2Wl
>5Wl
DT 19.0
ion
79
28
100
100
2<
49
20
80
80
3<
36
16
100
80
4<
28
18
80
80
8(
9
2
40
20
1,0(
27
8
50
25
DT 1T.UW
1(
47
10
89
63
2<
43
9
84
56
4(
23
8
77
50
8(
50
8
73
42
1,2(
8
3
56
16
1,6<
*7
0
j
42
19
2,2<
>
2
28
8
DT 17.OE
400*
24
3
24
19
TOO*
15
•3
35
15
900*
28
33
10
DT 14.6W
20
29
7
75
46
100
24
7
63
48
200
16
6
75
•46
300
158
5
67
46
4oo
16
5
^3
46
800 ¦
16
4
63
29
1,000
11
3
65
17
2,000
Ji
2
35
0
3,000
6
2
21
8
DT 12.0V7
122
35
10
89
66
322
124
8
81
52
670
26
7
85
48
DT 9.6W
100
11
5
67
33
300
11
5
67
33
500
5
3
67
0
900
20
8
67
33
DT 9-3E
500
11
2
39
13
1,200
8
2
29
13
2,000
84
6
39
9
3,000
6
21
4
4,000*
4
*1
30
0
4,500*
10
26
9
5,000*
4
1
9
0
5,600*
31
2
27
5
16-v
-------
TABLE 2-V.
AVERAGE AND EXTREME PHENOL CONCENTRATIONS
DETROIT RIVER - Continued
Maximum
Concentration
Observed
Range Feet _AJg/l
DT 8.7W 80 180
280 50
i+8o li+o
680 23
980 31
l,2k0 " 19
DT 3-9 2,500 36
3,500 1+2
k,500 Ii2
5,500 19
6,500 19
7,500 12
9,500 32
11,500* 10
13,500* 29
15,000* 20
16,500* 2h
17,500* 17
18,500* 6
19,000* 8
19,300* 39
Average
Percent
Percent
-MF.fi
. >2jue/i
>5>ug/l
30
95
95
12
92
78
13
88
69
8
83
62
8
80
66
6
7^
1+9
a
s
81
70
7
70
1*8
6
63
33
It
63
33
5
61
25
it
56
30
it
1+1
19
it
1+8
20
3
33
17
it
1+2
13
3
35
9-
3
32
8
2
25
k'
2
23
5
3
2k
5
17-V
-------
TABLE 3-V. AVERAGE AND EXTREME PHENOL CONCENTRATION
TRIBUTARIES TO DETROIT RIVER
Maximum
Concentration
Range
Observed.
yug/1
Average
>U£/l
Percent
>2^/1
Percent
>5 Jug/1
Conners Creek
22
6
69
42
Rouge River
167
19
79
66
Monguagon Creek
10,980
1,^90
98
* 98
Ecrose Creek
23
5
59
41
18-V
-------
High phenols in waters cause disagreeable taBte and odors in drinking
water, tainting of flesh in game fish, and may even result in fish kills
when concentrations are excessive. If phenols are present in raw water
supplies in sufficient concentration to cause disagreeable tastes and odors,
expensive water treatment procedures may be required to eliminate the problem.
UC objectives call for average phenol concentrations not to exceed 2 ^jig/l
(ppb) and mmrtimim values not to exceed 5 pig/l (ppb) to prevent nuisance taste
and odors in water supplies.
Phenol concentrations at all ranges in the Detroit River exceeded these
criteria during the study period. "Water quality at the head of the Detroit
River met these criteria in 19o2 but not 1963.
Records of the International Joint Commission reveal phenol concentrations
frequently in excess of 10 p.g/l in the St. Clair River below known sources of
phenolic wastes. The flow in the St. Clair River is over 95 per cent of the
flow of the Detroit River. The weighted average phenol concentration near
the mouth of the St. Clair River during the period of the survey was 9 ^ig/l
representing a loading of 8,700 pounds of phenolic substances per day.
The Rouge River and Monguagon Creek have excessive quantities of phenols
representing major sources of this substance as well as being polluted
themselves.
The lower Detroit River, below the Rouge River, the Detroit Sewage
Treatment Plant outfall, and sources along the United States shore, is
polluted from the standpoint of phenolic substances. Phenol concentrations
exceed IJC objectives over 80 per cent of the time near the United States
shore. Concentrations above threshold limits for fish kill have not been
19-V
-------
observed but the maximum reported value during the survey approached this
level. Phenolic pollution in the lower Detroit River could cause objectionable
tastes and odors in both drinking water and fish flesh.
While average concentrations in the upper river are above IJC objectives
of 2 pg/l (ppb), they are usually not above the 5 >ig/l (ppb) level at which
many observers have detected objectionable tastes and odors in water supplies.
Suspended and Settleable Solids
Suspended solids in the upper river were uniform with values of 5 - 10
mg/l -in mid-river and values of 15 - 20 mg/l near the United States shore.
In the lower river and at the mouth, these values increased to a range of
l1* - 65 mg/l with the higher values near the United States shore. In the •
upper Detroit River the range of settleable solids was 5-10 mg/l while
values in the lower river and the mouth were in the range 10 - 2h mg/l -
in both cases the higher values were near the United States shore.
Average suspended solids in the tributaries of the Detroit River ranged
from 22 mg/l in the Rouge River to j6 mg/l in Connors Creek and 162 mg/l in
the Ecorse River.
Excessive amounts of suspended solids in water can cause interference
with domestic and industrial water treatment processes, can cause harmful
effects to fish and other aquatic life by clogging the gills and respiratory
passages of aquatic fauna, can cause turbidity which interferes with light
transmission, and can interfere with boating and esthetic enjoyment of water.
When a part of the suspended solids settle^ out on stream and lake bottoms as
sludge or bottom deposits, damage to aquatic life can occur by blanketing
the bottom, killing eggs, and essential fish-food organisms and destroying
20-V
-------
spawning teds. When the suspended solids carry with them toxic material,
aquatic life can "be killed when these leech out into the water above.
Suspended solids in the lover Detroit River are at levels near the
United States shore which indicate pollution and could cause serious
problems in shallow areas near shore and the debouchment of the river where
high river velocities are stilled, allowing settling.
Chlorides
In the upper Detroit River the chloride concentrations was very uniform
at 7 - 10 mg/l. Just below the Rouge River the mean chloride concentration
increased to 9 - 35 nig/1 with the higher values observed near the United
States shore. In the lower river the moon values increased to 26 - 69 mg/l
in the Trenton Channel and 28 - 58 mg/l at the mouth. Once again, the higher
values were observed near the United States shore. Maximum values as high as
180 mg/l have occurred in the Detroit River.
Figure lj—V shows average chloride concentrations in five zones repre-
senting less than 10, 10-20, 20-35* 35-50, and greater than 50 mg/l. The
upper Detroit River is in the first zone representing less than 10 mg/l.
Below the Rouge River to Wyandotte, United States waters are predominantly
in the second and third zones representing average values up to 35 mg/l.
Below Wyandotte to the mouth, especially along the United Statec shore, the
two zones representing average chloride concentration in excess of 35 mg/l
predominate.
In the tributaries of the Detroit River high chloride values are most
noticeable in the Rouge River with a mean value of 66 mg/l, Scorse. River with
a mean value of 91 mg/l, and Monguagon Creek with a mean value of 360 mg/l.
Figure 11-V shows the average chloride concentrations in the Detroit River
21-V
-------
PAGE NOT
AVAILABLE
DIGITALLY
-------
PAGE NOT
AVAILABLE
DIGITALLY
-------
Chloride concentrations above certain levels can interfere with domestic
and industrial water supplies by causing objectionable tastes in drinking
water and corrosion in industrial processes. Excessive chlorides in water also
interfere -with irrigation- since it is toxic to many forms of plant life.
Chloride concentrations in the upper Detroit River indicate high quality
water from this standpoint. Below the Rouge River adjacent to the United States
shore the River deteriorates due to pollution from chloride sources to an alarming
degree. Mean values in excess of 50 rag/l could interfere with industrial water
supply intakes located near the United States shore in the lower river. The
increase in mean chloride concentrations in the Detroit River from less than
10 mg/l at its head to a range between 2o and 3-' ragA a_1: the mouth represents an
effect of pollution and degradation of the water in this respect. It also repre-
sents a warning of things to come if additional sources are added to the River.
Iron
At the head of the Petrol.': River in United States water, average iron
concentrations were 0.10 - 0.13 mg/l, Downstream just above the Rouge River,
these values increased to O.ltf - 0.3^ r.i,'-;/l. Below the Rouge River,' the average
values near the United States shore increased c.c- 0.39 - 0.52 mg/l. Downstream
near Fighting Island, these values increased to the range 0.4 - b.h2 mg/l, with
the higher values along the United States shore. Further downstream and in the
Trenton Channel, the range was 0.27 - 0.7'^ mg/l. At the mouth, the iron con-
centration was 0.4-7 - O.63 mg/l. The maximum value observed during the survey
of the Detroit River was 15-2 mg/l approximately 5 miles downstream from the
Rouge River.
Maximum iron concentrations between 1.5 and 2.6 mg/l were Observed in the
major tributaries of the Detroit River. Mean values at these tributaries ranged
from 0.39 to 0.91 mg/l.
22-V
-------
Excessive concentrations of iron in water can cause interference with
domestic and industrial water supplies by causing tastes and stains as well
as negating the usefulness of cooling water. Iron is toxic to certain species
of fish and other aquatic life in relatively low concentrations. UC ob-
jectives state iron concentrations should not exceed 0.3 mg/l (ppm). Average
iron concentrations in the upper Detroit River generally meet this objective.
The Rouge River and the lower Detroit River to its mouth do not meet the
objective. Concentrations below the Rouge and sources of iron wastes along
the United States shore average over two times this value. The lower Detroit
River, especially near the United States shore, is degraded and polluted with
t
respect to iron concentrations. Existing levels could interfere with domestic
and industrial supply and in some areas could interfere with the propagation
of fish and other aquatic life.
BOD and Dissolved Oxygen
In the upper Detroit River, the biochemical oxygen demand ranged from
2 to ^ mg/l. Below the Rouge River, this value increased to U to 8 mg/l but
returned to the 2 - k mg/l range at the mouth. BOD in the Rouge River was
found to be less than 6 mg/l during the period sampled.
In the Detroit River from the head to the Rouge River, the average
saturation for dissolved oxygen ranged from 93 to 106 per cent. Below the
Rouge River this per cent saturation decreased to 80 - 86 per cent and further
decreased to 67 - 82 per cent at the mouth of the river. All values observed
were in excess of 5 mg/l. Figure 12-V shows the average per cent saturation
dissolved oxygen at selected ranges on the Detroit River for stations nearest
the United States shore. With the exception of the mouth of the Detroit River
(range DT 3.9), average per cent saturation dissolved oxygen values were
relatively constant across each range.
23-V
-------
FIGURE 12 -3E
o 60
u
>
<
-------
The lack of dissolved oxygen in water can be an unfavorable environment
for fish and other aquatic life as well as interfere with domestic and indus-
trial water supply "by increasing its corrosive properties. Low levels of
dissolved oxygen can cause objectionable odors and make water less desirable
from the recreational or esthetic sense. Levels of dissolved oxygen in all
reaches of the Detroit River are sufficient at this time to prevent inter-
ference with water use. The decrease in dissolved oxygen (expressed in per-
cent saturation) from 93 - 106 per cent in the upper river to 6j - 82 per cent
at the mouth due to the discharge of oxygen consuming wastes in the vicinity
of the Rouge River is alarming and is indicative of problems in the future
with increased oxygen consuming waste loads. A relatively large volume of
receiving water and short time of passage have prevented additional depletion,
but increased BOD wastes without adequate treatment will certainly reduce
dissolved oxygen values below the 5»1 mg/l concentration found at the mouth
of the Detroit River.
During the 196k sampling season dissolved oxygen values at the head of
the Detroit River ranged from 95 - 106 per cent of saturation while values
at the mouth ranged from 57 - 82 per cent. The absolute values at the mouth
during July 196k were as low as k.$ mg/l. These values give additional concern
to the utilization of the oxygen resources of the lower Detroit River to
satisfy pollution demands. Figure 12a presents dissolved oxyr;c:-. values in a
different manner by depicting the minimum dissolved oxygen concentration in
mg/l found at selected ranges during the survey (including lC^-t- data).
2U-V
-------
FIGURE I2A-2.
E 6 0
> 2.0
-J
O
DT 30.fi W DT 20 6 DT 17 4W DT 14 GW 0T87W 0T 3 9
RANGE
0 N T A/ R I 0
\\\
MICHIGAN
* } nouoe
NT""
SCALE
Mi L £ S
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
MINIMUM DISSOLVED OXYGEN CONCENTRATIONS
STATION NEARE ST U.S. SHORE
DETROIT RIVER
U S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION. 8 WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
Nitrogen. Compounds
This category and phosphates are commonly referred to as essential plant
nutrients, or more simply - nutrients. Although only the inorganic forms of
nitrogen (nitrates, nitrites, and ammonis) are readily available for plant
utilization, other less stable forms can "be changed to this available form
in the presence of dissolved oxygen and thus ere considered in this discussion.
All nitrogen compounds are reported as nitrogen.
In the upper and lower River, mean nitrate values range from 0.10 to
0.2k mg/l. At the mouth, the mnge increases to 0.22 - O.'wD mg/l. Nitrites
throughout the River are fairly constant at 0.001 - 0.002 ng/l except at the
mouth of the River T.iiere the range increases to 0.003 to .011 ng /l. At the
head of the Detroit River, mean ammonia nitrogen were 0.08 - 0.l4 mg/l.
Downstream just above the Rouge River, these values increased to 0.16 - O.Ul
mg/l. Below the Rouge River, the mean concentration remained in this ran^e
to the mouth. Organic nitrogen throughout the River had mean values between
0.15 and 0.30 mg/l.
In the Rotige River, the mean nitrate concentration was O.39 mg/l with
nitriteB, ammonia, rnd organic nitrogen 0.007, 0.51, end O.lo mg/l respectively.
Kit rate 3 ir. drinking -,-ator in concentrations greater thrr. 10 mg/l can
cause serious illness in infants. Uitrater. also cause interference with many
industrial processes. Ammonia can interfere with domestic crater treatment
by combining with applied chlorine to form chloramines instead of the more
effective disinfecting agent, free chlorine. Ammonia in :;ater supplies is
usually regarded as evidence of recent pollution from human or animal wastes
if concentrations exceed 0.10 mg/l.
25-V
-------
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 undesirable blooms. These are un-
sightly, can result in obnoxious odors, and cr:n be toxic to fish. A com-
monly accepted level of inorganic nitrogen compounds (nitrates, nitrites,
and ammonia) above which undesirable blooms can be expected to occur is
0.30 mg/l. In the lower section of the Detroit River, especially as it
enters Lake Erie, these values ore regularly exceeded and pollution from
industrial and domestic souces could be expected to cause excessive blooms
in the lower river and Lake Erie.
Nitrogen compounds are not present in the Detroit River in concentra-.
tions sufficient to cause illness in infants using this supply as drinking
water nor are the existing levels sufficient to cause interference with
industrial processes. Average ammonia concentrations as high as O.Ul mg/l ¦
could cause mter treatment difficulties and necessitate excessive dosages
of chlorine to achieve adequate disinfection in domestic :vater treatment
processes.
Phosphates
Both total and soluble phosphates were determined on samples collected
in the Detroit River and unless otherwise indicated are reported as
phosphate.
26-V
-------
At the head of the Detroit River phosphate concentrations averaged
0.03 - 0.3° mg/l. Downstream at a point just a"bove the Rouge River, these
values increased to 0.10 - 0.k8 mg/l, with the higher values along the
United States shore. Below the Rouge River, phosphate mean concentration
continues in this same range until the mouth, where the 3>500-foot station
nearest the United States shore had mean values of O.89 - 1.20 mg/l.
Phosphates in the Rouge River averaged 0.18 mg/l, with a maximum value of
0.30 mg/l.
All but two soluble phosphate concentrations in the upper Detroit River
were less than 0.001 mg/l, ldth the highest value located near the United
States shore just below the combined sower outfall at Connors Creek. Belov
the Rouge River soluble phosphate levels increased to levels ranging from
less than 0.001 mg/l to O.^tO mg/l, with the same dispersion pattern apparent.
At the mouth soluble phosphates of O.IY^ to 0.20h mg/l were found.
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 by
bacterial action and thus become available for such plant utilization.
Soluble phosphates present in greater concentrations than 0.015 ng/l re-
ported as phosphorus in combination with inorganic nitrogen compounds in
excess of 0.30 mg/l and accompanied by satisfactory environmental conditions
such as light and heat, may produce over-abundant growths of algae iriLth
27-V
-------
concomitant odors and detriment to fish life. To convert soluble phosphate
results reported as phosphates to those reported as phosphorus, divide "by-
three. Concentrations of soluble phosphates in the lover Detroit River
and particularly at its mouth exceed the limiting value.
pH
pH values in the upper Detroit River were uniform as shoi/n by average
values between 8.2 and 8.3. Just below the Rouge River the average pH
dropped to J.6 near the United States shore and 8.0 away from shore.
Approximately 2 miles downstream the average pH dropped again to J.2 near
the United States shore. From this point to the mouth there "was a gradual
rise in pH until a mean value of 8.0 \jas reached. The low individual
value during'the survey was 3.0 at a point approximately 2 miles below the
Rouge River at sampling range DT 17.^-W.
Extreme pH values can cause interference with domestic and industrial
water supplies by affecting taste, corrosiveness, and efficiency of
chlorination and coagulation processes. Difficulties could be experienced
in irrigation and fish propagation with extreme values of pll. A drop in
the pH of the Detroit River is experienced in the Detroit River from its
head to a point 5 miles below the Rouge River due to the discharge of
acid, industrial T./U3tes. Average values do not indicate potential inter-
ferences with :n\ter use in the Detroit River but are indicative of sig-
nificant quantities of acid "wastes entering the watercourse.
28-V
-------
ABS
ABS (Alkyl Benzene Sulfonate) in the upper section of the Detroit River
averaged 20 - ^0/ig/l. Below the Rouge River, they increased from 30 to
60 ps/l. In the Trenton Channel, these average values increased to 110
to 250^/1. At the mouth of the River the average ABS values ranged from
i+0 to TO ;ug/l.
In Conners Creek, ABS averaged 230 /ic/l, while the Rouge River averaged
180 ^ig/l and Monguagon Creek 500 jug/l. The ABS concentration in the
tributaries was roughly five times that found in the Detroit River.
Concentrations of ABS in excess or 5 00 ^g/l have caused foaming in
receiving streams, with loss of esthetic enjoyment of i^ter and interference
with domestic water treatment processes. Existing levels in the Detroit
River are well below this value, but average concentrations in the Trenton
Channel have increased to 250 ^ig/l, indicating potential problem areas in
the future if waste loads increase.
Alkalinity
Mean alkalinity concentrations in the entire Detroit River vere 68 -
86 mg/l with no trend evident. Alkalinity values in the tributaries were in
this same range i.ith the exception of the Ecorse River, of which the average
alkalinity 136 mg/l.
Alkalinity can cause interference in.th domestic and industrial T..-e.ter
uses in high or.very low concentrations. At extreme pH values, alkalinities
can cause interference with fish and other aquatic life. The ranges of
alkalinity found in the Detroit River do not indicate interference with any
water use.
29-V
-------
Temperature
Mean temperature values for the period of the 6tudy are meaningless
from a practical standpoint because of their extreme dependence upon the
season of the year. Study of the year reveals an increase of 2 - 3°C between
the head of the Detroit River and a point just above the Trenton Channel.
The difference between the head and mouth of the River on any given day was
found to be 1 - 2°C, with warmer waters found near the United States shore
at the mouth. The highest temperature found in the Detroit River was 28°C
or 82°F Just below the Rouge River.
The Rouge River and Conners Creek were approximately 2 - 5°C warmer
than the Detroit River on any given day, while Monguagon Creek was as much
as 10°C warmer. The maximum value on any tributary during the survey was
35°C or 95°F in Monguagon Creek.
Extreme high temperature values era kill fish and cause corrosion
problems in water supplies. High temperatures will also accelerate the
rate of utilization of the biochemical oxygen demand in the water. The
1° - 3°C rise throughout the length of the entire river does not appear to
present any problems related to interference with water use that are not
present in the natural state. Generally, the temperatures in the river
would support all uses of water except propagation of certain cold-water
game fish which probably could not survive in the natural temperatures of
the upper river.
30-V
-------
COD
Chemical oxygen demand in the upper Detroit River ranged from mean
values of 0 - 9 mg/l. Belov the Rouge River this range increased to 28 - 37
mg/l and in the Trenton channel from 160 - 2kO mg/l, with higher values along
the west shore.
Chemical oxygen demand indicates a possible demand on the dissolved
oxygen resources of the receiving stream due to wastes, usually of an indus-
trial nature, which are not suited to biochemical degradation in the waste
form and whose oxygen consuming strength cannot be measured in the BOD
determination. The significant observed increase in COD in the Detroit RLver
from its head to the lower reaches and particularly the Trenton Channel* is
indicative of industrial waste discharge. It is difficult to equate COD
concentrations in wastes to population equivalents as is commonly done in
BOD wastes because an unknown amount of the COD concentration actually exerts
a demand upon the oxygen resources of the river. The increase does represent
the effect of sources of pollution which place some demand upon these
resources.
Conductivity
The specific conductance of the Detroit River in its upper section varied
"between 190 and 220 umhos/cm. Below; the Rouge River, the range increased' to
220 - 390 umhos/cm, with higher values again along the United States shore.
In the Trenton channel, specific conductance increased to an average value
of 500 umhos/cm near the west shore. At the mouth of the river, the range
decreased to 2kO - 330 umhos/cm.
31-V
-------
High values of specific conductance indicate excessive mineralization,
which can interfere with domestic and industrial water supplies as well as
irrigation and fish propagation. The values encountered in the Detroit River
indicate an approximate twofold increase between the head of the river and a
point in the Trenton channel. These levels do not indicate potential
interference with water use in the Detroit River.
Toxic Metals
Copper values in all parts of the river except the head averaged less
than 0.01 mg/l. At the head of the river, the average was 0.02 mg/l. In
over 55 per cent of all samples analyzed, copper was not detected at the 0.01
mg/l level. The maximum value found was 0.11 mg/l.
Nickel averaged 0.01 to 0.02 mg/l throughout the river with a tendency
towards higher values near the junction with the Rouge River. The maximum
value found was 0.30 in the Trenton Channel with other high values located
throughout the length of the river. Over 70 per cent of the samples analyzed
showed concentrations greater than 0.01 mg/l.
Zinc was fairly constant, with average values in the range 0.02 to 0.05
mg/l. The maximum value found was 0.60 mg/l in the Trenton Channel. Over
90 per cent of the samples showed concentrations greater than 0.01 mg/l.
Lead was found in average concentrations varying from 0.01 to 0.0^ mg/l,
with higher values found below the Rouge River and in the Trenton Channel.
Chromium was found in average concentrations of 0.01 mg/l and less, with
higher values in the lower Detroit River and especially the Trenton Channel.
The maximum value found during the survey was 0.04 mg/l "below the Rouge River.
Chromium was detected at the 0.01 mg/l level in only 15 per cent of the samples
analyzed.
32-V
-------
Cadmium was also found in average concentrations less than 0.01 mg/l,
vith higher values in the Trenton Channel. The maximum value found during
the survey was 0.08 mg/l in the channel, while cadmium was detected at the
0.01 mg/l level in only 10 per cent of the samples analyzed.
Toxic metals in Conners Creek were in the same range as the Detroit River
and many times in lesser concentrations. Copper vas frequently found in
significant concentrations in the Rouge River, with one value O.^tO mg/l and
a mean value of 0.09 mg/l. Other toxic metals in the Rouge River averaged
"between 0.01 and 0.02 mg/l. Toxic metals in Monguagon Creek were generally
high, with a maximum zinc concentration of 0.56 mg/l.
Other metals showing high values at Monguagon Creek were lead, nickel,
and copper, with maximum values of 0.09, 0.05, and 0.0U mg/l respectively.
Toxic metals present a threat to the health and welfare of humans who
consume drinking \/ater in which they are present in concentrations greater
than those listed in the Public Health Service Drinking Water Standards.
They can also interfere with industrial processes and. act as toxic agents for
fish and other aquatic life.
Average concentrations of copper rere less than levels expected to
interfere with v/ater use "but one extreme value at the head of the river
indicates a possible toxic hazard to fish and other aquatic life. This value
or one of similar magnitude was not found at other times and locations.
Average and even the maximum concentrations of nickel, zinc, and
chromium found in the Detroit River do not indicate interference with water
use.
33-V
-------
Average values of lead approached levels of 0.05 mg/l which represent
a threat to the health and welfare of consumers of domestic water supplies.
The maximum value encountered approaches the limit of 0.10 mg/l, which
represents a potential threat to fish and other aquatic life. Further
increases in any magnitude of waste loadings to the Detroit River containing
lead represent a threat to the health and welfare of the users of the lower
Detroit River and posslbley to fish life there.
Average cadmium values indicated no interference with domestic water
use or propagation of fish and other aquatic life. A maximum value of 0.08
mg/l did exceed recommended limits for these uses, and careful surveillance
should "be made of future levels of this substance.
The Rouge River and Monguagon Creek showed high levels of copper and
lead and should be considered as pollution sources.
Oil and Grease
Analysis for oil and grease was not made on river or lake samples due
to difficulty in obtaining a representative sample. Observations were made
of visible floating oil, which for the most part was noticed in marinas and
other areas of shallow or slow moving water. Major investigative emphasis
during this survey was placed upon measurement of oil and grease at the
source, and any corrective action taken should "be made with the objective of
keeping effluents from all wastes as low as practicable. IJC effluent
recommendations of not more than 15 ppm oil and grease in the effluent
» appear to be applicable in this instance.
31*-V
-------
Cyanide
In the upper Detroit River, cyanides vere present in 15 per cent of the
samples analyzed, vith a maximum concentration of 0.01 mg/l. In the lover
River above the Trenton Channel, cyanides vere found in 21 per cent of the
samples analyzed equal to or in excess of 0.01 mg/l, vith one value 0.05 mg/l.
In the Trenton Channel cyanides vere found in 18 per cent of the samples
equal to or in excess of 0.01 mg/l, \ri.th a maximum value of 0.03 mg/l. At
the mouth of the Detroit River, 35 per cent of all samples analyzed contained
cyanides equal to or in excess of 0.01 mg/l, vith a maximum value of 0.09
mg/l, 7,500 feet from the United States shore.
Cyanides are toxic to man as veil as fish and other aquatic life. PHS
drinking vater standards recommend limiting cyanide concentrations to 0.01
mg/l. Cyanide concentrations above 0.025 xag/l are considered detrimental to
fish and other aquatic life. A mandatory limit of 0.20 mg/l has been set
for cyanide concentrations in drinking i/ater "by the PHS standards.
Cyanide concentrations found in the lower Detroit River pose a potential
interference with crater use from the standpoint of domestic izater supply and
fish and wildlife propagation.
-35-v
-------
Biology
Microscopic Plants and Animals
Floating and suspended microscopic plants and animals, commonly referred
to as plankton, were repeatedly collected and examined from selected stations
in the Detroit River and Lake Erie. Phytoplankton, free-floating microscopic
plant.life, are of "basic importance in aquatic environments since they provide
the first step in the food chains of fishes. Their presence is necessary to
support animals in the water. By the process of photosynthesis, phytoplankton
are able to synthesize protoplasm from the nutrients available in the waters
utilizing sunlight for energy.
Zooplankton, the animal plankton, form the food of many young fishes at
the critical post-hatching period. The microcrustacean plankters are important
animals in the transformation of algal cell material into fish flesh. As
primary consumers, they feed upon the phytoplankton. In order to support game
fish at the top of the food chain pyramid, the -waters must produce large
quantities of zooplankton.
Plankton in large numbers can create nuisances. Some species may become
toxic. Many cause water treatment problems by clogging filter beds and pro-
ducing tastes and odors. Through the uptake of nutrients released to the
waters by domestic wastes, some industrial vastes and land drainage algae can
occur in such abundance as to contribute to the increased aging of lakes.
Low oxygen potentials in the lower water strata and the mud-water inter-
face of lakes create acid conditions that liberate nutrients bound in the mud-
water interface region to overlying waters. These phosphates contribute t.o
nuisance blooms and augment the algal problems.
36-V
-------
In addition to studies of free-floating plants and animals, attached
slimes and other microscopic organisms -were collected and examined from
numerous points in the Detroit River and Lake Erie. Many of these organisms
form massive colonies in organically enriched and highly polluted waters.
Some, such as Sphaerotilus, are filamentous slime bacteria. They are commonly
referred to as "sewage fungus." These slime bacteria form ragged white,
yellow, pink, or brown masses on all colid objects in rivers and lakes and
may even form a carpet over mud surfaces. At times, driving masses of sewage
fungus may continue to grow in open waters of large rivers and cause trouble
to fishermen by fouling lines and nets. Sewage fungus is one of the most
unsightly products of pollution. Another groi/th, the filamentous green alga,
Cladophora, may also be associated with polluted and nutrient-enriched waters.
When dead and windrowed upon beaches, it decays and produces obnoxious odors
and may become a fly-breeding habitat. Abundant growths of this alga may
then become a nuisance on beaches, prohibit swimming, and interfere with
recreation.
The waters of the Detroit River from head to mouth were found to contain
low numbers of planktonic algae with counts ranging from 50/ml to U,675/ml and
averaging 500/ml* Low concentrations of animal plankton were also found.
Plankton entering the river with tiie water masses from Lake St. Clair
were carried as a "standing cron" down the river to its mouth at Lake Erie
with little change in density or species composition either vertically in
depths or horizontally across the river. The rate of travel of the population
down the 27-mile stretch of the waterway is too rapid for the domestic and
industrial wastes to appreciably alter the numbers of plankton. Diatoms,
37-V
-------
silica-railed algae, (brown or greenish in color) usually made up 70 per cent
or more of the phytoplankton populations.
The early spring diatom pulse in Lake St, Clair raises the counts in
the Detroit River to levels averaging 2,000/ml, which have been reported to
cause trouble at the Detroit filter plant by reducing filter runs and
increasing coagulation costs.
The observed turbid condition of the Detroit River was not associated
with the concentration of living organisms in the waters since planktort
populations were not dense enough to contribute appreciably to turbidity.
Rather the cause of turbid water is attributable to a combination of the
fine clay particles carried in suspension from the water masses from Lake
St. Clair and the contribution of inorganic and organic particulate matter
from industrial and domestic wastes of the Detroit area.
The sewage fungus, Sphaerotilus, wis found growinr attached to bridge '
abutments, pilings, piers, buoys, and slide racks suspended in the waters to
capture these organisms. It was abundant in the Detroit ^ivcr below the
Rouge River and Detroit Sewage Treatment Plant outfall. (Figure 13-V) The
growth of these slime bacteria was caused by the discharge of inadequately
treated municipal and industrial wastes of organic origin in the Detroit area
Bottom Organisms
As the environment in which bottom organisms live becomes modified by
pollution, undesirable changes occur in the kinds and numbers of organisms
present. This is especially true for those organisms that live on the bottom
of lakes and streams. Bottom-dwelling organisms do not move great distances
and therefore arc subjected to all local environmental changes. As a conmunr
38-V
-------
PAGE NOT
AVAILABLE
DIGITALLY
-------
of organisms "becomes upset by pollution, some species abound in dispropor-
tionate numbers. Huge aggregations of only one kind of organism may be
present. Deposition of fine silt or flocculent ooze from decaying organic
matter of industrial and domestic origin constitutes one of the greatest
hazards to most species of clean-'./ater associated bottom-dwelling organisms.
Oils and greases which are absorbed into the bottom muds are another source
of community disruption.
Based on their response to pollution, bottom duellers can be separated
into three categories: pollution-sensitive, intermediate, and pollution-
tolerant organisms. Pollution-sensitive forms, such as mayflies, caddisflies,
and mussels, are associated with clean-water habitats and are important because
they provide essential food for many game fishes. Intermediate forms, such as
snails, fingernail clams, and scuds, sre capable of surviving in a moderately
polluted environment. Pollution-tolerant forms, such as sludgeworms, blood-
worms, and leeches, may survive in areas severely polluted with organic
wastes. The elimination of the competition from sensitive organisms and the
seemingly unlimited food supply from organic solids permits the surviving
tolerant forms to increase inordinately in numbers.
Under conditions of drastic pollution even the tolerant forms may be
wiped out and no signs of life will be apparent in the bottom muds. Con-
sequently, vhe Ti-esence or absence of certain bottom organisms in a sample
becomes quite meaningful and enables a trained observer to assess the quality
of the water passing over the organisms and to evaluate and locate sources of
industrial and domestic pollution.
39-V
-------
Bottom samples in the Detroit River were collected at various locations
during the spring, summer, and fall seasons of 196 3 •
Bottom samples collected at the headwaters down to the northern tip of
Belle Isle contained a pollution-sensitive association of organisms. (Figure
1^-V and Table U-V) Environmental conditions and the character of the sub-
strata were ideal for the presence of a variety of clean-water associated
species. The water in this reach of the river was not degraded.
A short distance downstream from Belle Isle (Figure l4-V), "bottom samples
collected near the Michigan shore did not contain sensitive or even inter-
mediate forms; only a preponderance of pollution-tolerant sludgeworms and
leeches thrived. Below the combined sever outlets at Conners Creek, clusters
of sludgeworms inhabited the entire stretch of the bottom sludges along the
Michigan shoreline downstresn to Zug Island. In contrast, the midstream
floor of the river contained nany sensitive clean-water associated animals
and was similar to the character of the area upstream from Belle Isle. The
sludges and bottom organisms downstream from Conners Creek, confined to an
area adjacent to the Michigan bank, reflects the addition and settling of
organic material of sewage origin from the combined sewer overflows of the
City of Detroit.
The reach of the river from Zug Island downstream to the mouth was
polluted as indicated by the disappearance of sensitive organisms and the
predominance of intermediate and tolerant forms. 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.
Three distinct areas of severely polluted waters were very evident.
(Figure l4-V) One area was located along the Michigan shoreline opposite the
lo-v
-------
PAGE NOT
AVAILABLE
DIGITALLY
-------
communities of Ecorse and River Rouge downstream from the effluent of the
Detroit Sewage Treatment Plant and the confluence of the severely polluted
Rouge River. Only tolerant leeches and sludgeworms were found. Sludgeworms
occurred in numbers as great as 24,000 per square foot. Field notes recorded
at the time of collection characterized the bottom as "ooze, sludge, many
sludge worms, .• sewage odor, and appearance and odor of crankcase oil." Another
area was confined to the reach downstream from the v/ayne County Sewage Treat-
ment Plant along the Rivervicw, Michigan shorefront \/here sludgevorms were
found in numbers of 15,000 per square foot. Field notes as recorded mentioned
"full hauls - muck, sludge, nauseating heavy oil odor, sludge-rorms., dead snail
shells and clam shells ~ anchored in gray clay." The third area occurred
where the Detroit River enters Lake Erie east of Pointe Mouillee. As the
velocity of flow is reduced, suspended organic solids settle to the bottom,
forming thick sludges that support sludgeworm populations of 5*800 per square
foot.
Clinging mayfly nymphs, a pollution-sensitive organism normally occur-
ring with clean-i/ater bottom organisms associations on stony bottom, inhabited
the upper ranges of the river. Burrowing mayfly nymphs, another sensitive
form which lives in mud, were collected opposite the western side of Belle
Isle. Below the Rouge River and the Detroit Sei/age Treatment Plant outfall,
dredge hauls from soft bottoms in habitats once thriving with burrowing
mayfly nymphs did not yield even a single specimen either in the river or
lake. Habitats suitable for the support of this once abundant organism have
been totally destroyed by pollution.
lil-V
-------
High concentrations of oil, as well as the organic solids in the bottom
substrates of the Detroit River and Lake Erie, indicate serious pollutional
conditions. Oil has adverse effects on aquatic life. Some of these adverse
effects are: compaction of "bottom materials, toxicity, production of adverse
flavors in food fishes, and contribution to the cause of mortalities of
aquatic birds.
In summary, evaluation of the bottom fauna in the Detroit River from its
headimters to its mouth represents a change from a community of clean-rater
associated organisms above sources of pollution to a community of predominantly
pollution-tolerant organisms below known, sources of pollution. It is concluded
•that pollution from industrial and domestic sources is causing this sig-
nificant change in population composition, as veil as damaging habitats for
desirable bottom-dwelling organisms.
-------
TABLE U-V. SUMMARY OF BOTTOM ORGANISM DA.TA, DETROIT RIVER
MEAN NUMBER PER SQUARE FOOT OF BOTTOM
SENSITIVE FORI IS INTERMEDIATE FORMS TOLERANT FORMS
Detroit
River -
Caddisfly
Mayfly-
Fingernail
Midge
Mile
Range
Larvae
Naiads
Mussles
Snails
Clams
Scuds
Larvae
Leeches
Sludgev
30.8
R-98
IT
1
1
2
1
2
2
1
2
R-10U
1
1
-
1
1
-
1
-
-
R-106
30
1
1
2
3
1
1
-
1
28.it
R-llU
11
1
1
1
..
k
R-118
2
-
1
3
56
1
-
1
3
R-120
3
1
1
3
16
1
1
-
1
25.7
R-122
_
_
_
1
206
R-125
1
-
1
6
82
1
1
-
1
20.6
R-3
1
_
1
2
1
_
3
79
R-T
h
1
1
2
15
1
1
-
-
R-ll
1
-
-
1
7
1
1
-
-
19.0
R-139
_
•
-
_
_
118
R-llH
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
12
R-I ^3
-
-
-
-
11
-
6
-
11
n.b
R-17
_
_
_
_
1
2
2k, ItfX
R-21
1
-
-
l
2
1
-
1
31
R-25(l)
1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1U.6
R-32
1
_
_
1
3
—
U
62
R-i»0
-
-
-
2
1
-
-
1
1
R-UU(2)
1
-
-
-
-
l
1
1
-------
TABLE b-V - Continued
Detroit
River Caddisfly Mayfly-
Mile Range Larvae Naiads Mussels
12.0 R-86
R-89
9.3 R-1^
R-50
R-5k
8.7 R-91 1
r_9U
R-96 1
3.9 R-66
R-69
R-T3
Rouge River
(1) No macro-bottom orc&nisras, Summer Survey.
(2) No macro-bottom organisms, Spring Survey.
Fingernail Scuds Midge Leeches Sludgevorms
Clams Larvae
2
1
1
1
4
1
1
1
1
15,500
2b
IT
38
2
2
372
' lkQ
116
9,520
-------
Comment on Values in Canadian Waters
In certain sections of this report values for certain measures of water
quality are shown in Canadian waters in the Detroit River. Since the authority
of the Public Health Service in this undertaking does not extend into waters
of another Nation, an explanation is in order.
Distribution of flow in the entire Detroit River was obtained through
cooperative agreement with the Lake Survey of the U.S. Corps of Engineers.
Chemical and "bacteriological results in Canadian waters were obtained by
coordination in field operation with the Detroit Field Unit of the International
Joint Commission. Results for total coliform organisms, phenols, and chlorides
are shown in Figures 1-V, 10-V, and 11-V. These figures show a configuration
of concentrations at the Canadian shore similar to that of the United States
shore, with high values closest to the shore and low values in the center of
the river. The streamlined flow phenomena referred to in earlier engineering
reports is still very evident in the Detroit River.
Trends in Water Quality
The question of evaluating trends in water quality and pollution abatement
can be approached in several ways. State regulatory agencies participating
in this Project have indicated they will bring up to date advances made in
municipal and industrial waste treatment facilities in the area. Other
approaches compare existing water quality levels and waste discharges with
those found during past surveys. Figures 15-V, 16-V, and 17-V compare levels
of total colifonn organisms, phenols, and chlorides found during this Project
with those found during the 19^6-^ IJC survey.
U5-V
-------
100,000
1,000
£
DT 30.8W
DT 30.7E
FIGURE 15-2
DT 20.6
i I i i i i I i i i i I i i i i I i i i i I i i i i I i i i i ' ¦ i ' i i i i ' ' i ' | ' ¦ ' ¦ ' ' ' ' i
0 SOO 1000 ISOO 2000 2300 0 500 1000 0 500 1000 ISOO 2000
INT BOUND.
DT 17.4W
DT 17.OE
DT 3.9
10,000
1,000
V
\
\
-\
-S
\— IJC
OBJECTIVE
\
V \
\
\
——
I
/ \
\
1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1
I 1 1 1
1
^7
-XT
500 1000 1900 | 2000 0 500 1000 0
INT BOUND
I I I I ' ' I ¦ ' 1 ' ' » I I r I I
5000 10,000 15,000 20,000
INT ffOUND
LEGEND
1962 -1963 Detroit Project Data (MF)
1946-1948 IJC Data (MPN)
SCALE
Horizontal — Disionce from West Shore as Indicated
Ve r t i c a I — L og Scale Total Coliform per 100ml as Indicated
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
MEDIAN COLIFORM CONCENTRATIONS
DETROIT RIVER
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, 8 WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
FIGURE 16-JZ
DT 30.8W DT 30.7E DT 20.6
DT 17.4 W
DT 17.0E
DT 3.9
/\
\
1
\
\
\
N. \
\
\
U'\
X/- IJC
OBJECTIVE
i i i >
>
1111
i • i
x*-*"""
i i i i
I
I
1
IJC OB
JECTIVE J
i i i i
\ I I I
*
\
\
t—IJC
v
S-
OBJECTIVE
i i i i
1 1 1 1
i i i i
I I I I
1000 1500 2000
INT BOUND
LEGEND
1962 — 1963 Detroit Project Dote
19 46-19 48 IJC Data
900 1000 0
SCALE
lO.OOOj 13,000 20,000
INT BOUNO.
Horizontol — Distance from West Shore as Indicated
Vertical— Avg. Phe no I — M ic rogra ms per Liter ai Indicated
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE PHENOL CONCENTRATIONS
DETROIT RIVER
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, S WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
OT 30.8W
DT 30.7 E
FIGURE 17-2
DT 20.6
0 ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ' ¦ ¦ ¦ i i i i r i i ' i o ' i i > ' i i i I 0 )i i i i I i i | i I i i I I I i i
0 500 1000 1500 2000 2900 0 SOO 1000 0 900 1000 1500 2000
INT 80UN0
OT 17.4W OT 17.0E DT 3.9
LEGEND SCALE
1962-1963 Detroit Project Data ' Horizonta I - Di»t a nca from Watt Short oa Indicated
— — — 1946—1946 IJC Doto Vertical— Avg. Ch lor i do — Mi II i g r ami par Liter aa Indicated
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE CHLORIDE CONCENTRATIONS
DETROIT RIVER
U.S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, & WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
In United States waters, particularly near the shore, there has "been a
significant improvement in water quality as measured by total coliforn
organisms, except at the head of the river where little change was noted and
satisfactory water was found during both surveys. At several stations the
difference in median coliform concentration was tenfold.
Figure 16 -V, depicting phenols, shows little change at the head of the
Detroit River. At downstream ranges the values adjacent to the United States
shore were considerably lower during the 1963 period, while phenol concentra-
tions away from this shore were higher during this period. At the mouth
there was a slight improvement in water quality as determined by average
phenol concentrations in United States waters.
In Figure 17-V mean chloride concentrations during the two surveys are
shown. Again, little change in chloride concentrations in the upper Detroit
River was noted. In the lower river, chloride concentrations during the
19U6-US IJC survey were higher near the United States shore, while offshore
values were higher during the 1962-63 survey. The reverse situation occurred
at the mouth. Generally speaking, very little change in chloride concentrations
occurred between the two surveys.
Table 5-V compares waste loadings found during the IJC and PHS surveys
for selected measures of water quality. The 19^-^ loadings represent
industrial sources only, while 1962-63 results are given for industrial and
domestic sources. Comparison of industrial waste loadings reveals a sub-
stantial reduction during the intervening 15 years in all five measures of
water quality considered. A 22 per cent reduction in ammonia cind 51 per cent
reduction in suspended solids industrial wastes loadings are noted, while
reduction of phenols, oil and grease, and cyanides exceeded TO per cent.
U6-V
-------
Unfortunatelyj domestic waste loadings for these waste constituents
were not available in the 19^-^ IJC report. Table 5-V indicates large
amounts of nl1 constituents (except cyanides) in the domestic waste sources
studied in the 1962-63 survey. Even though real progress has been made in
reducing industrial waste loadings in the area, concentrations of these
constituents in the river will not be substantially lowered until both
industrial and domestic waste sources are reduced. This emphasizes the
merits of a comprehensive approach to pollution abatement through the reduction
of all sources amenable to treatment.
Another approach to evaluation of trends in water quality is the study
of changes in levels of certain measures of water quality during this survey.
Figures 18-V, 19-V, and 20-V compare 19o2 average values for total coliform
organisms, phenols, and chlorides with 19^3 values.
Figure 18-V, depicting geometric mean total coliform values for the two
years, shows significantly lower coliform values in the Detroit River during
1963 than 1962 in United States raters (especially near the United States
shore). Figure 19-V. Phenol concentrations in the Detroit River (shown in
Figure 19-V) were consistently higher in 19^3 than 1962. Chloride concentra-
tions in the lower Detroit River were higher in 19&3 except at the mouth, .
where they were lower near the United States shore and higher on the Canadian.
There was very little change in chloride concentrations in the upper Detroit
River' between the two years.
Comparison of the Rouge River during these two years revealed a decrease
in average total coliform concentrations and phenols in 19&3 ax1^ no change in
chloride concentrations during this period.
1*7-V
-------
TABLE 5 - V
SUMMARY OF WASTE LOADINGS FOUND DURING INTERNATIONAL JOINT COMMISSION AND PUBLIC HEALTH SURVEYS
DETROIT RIVER - UNITED STATES SIDE
Survey-
Source
Total Waste Flov; Phenols
(MGD) (lbs)
19ii6-h0 IJC
1962-63 PHS
% Reduction
Industrial
Waste Loadings
(19li8-1963)
1962-63 PHS
Industrial
Industrial
Domestic
1,173
1,090
5U1
b,890
l.Uio
71%
1,270
Cyanides
(lbs)
3,690
1,030
Ammonia
(lbs)
11,010
8,530
12% 22%
3 3k,300
Oils
(gallons)
16,210
3,350
19%
16,000
Suspended Sol.
(lbs)
1,669,200
822,000
5156
626,000
-------
FIGURE IS-T
1,000,000
10,000
1,000
— nT
30.8 W =
—
-
=====
=
_
s
- ——.,
=
—
1111
, , , (
i i i i
¦ i < i
¦ t i i
1,000,000
100,000
10,000
1,000
DT 20.6
—
=
-/
//
St
¦ . — =
—s,
>
1 1 t i
lilt
1,000,000
100,000
10,000
1,000
500 1000 1300 2000 2500
1,000,000
500 1000 1500 2000 2500
INT 80UN0
=
DT 19.4
0.4 Miles
—
—
=
=
>00,000
1,000
—
= DT
14.6 W E
¦¦
"
„
=
¦ i i i
¦ i i i
i i i i
i i i i
¦ i i i
i i i i
66 133
ROUGE RIVER
,000,000
100,000
10,000
^=DT
8.7 W
—¦ ¦¦ ¦
m_-
¦ i i i
i i i i
1 1 1
200
1,000,000
100,000
10,000
500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
= DT 3.9 =
—
— —
^ s
1 1 1 1
1111
1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1
LEGEND
—— 1962 -Project Data
—* — — 1963 — Project Dato
SCALE
5000
15,000
2 0,000
10,000 I
INT. BOUND
Horizontal-Distance from West Shore as Indicated
Vertical— Log Scale Total Coliform (MF) per 100ml as Indicated
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
GEOMETRIC MEAN COLIFORM CONCENTRATIONS
1962-1963
DETROIT RIVER
u. s
DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, S WELFARE
PUBLIC H E ALT H SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE I L E, MICHIGAN
-------
FIGURE I9-3T
DT
30.8 W
I
/"N
/
1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1
¦ i i i
i i i i
1000 1300 2000 2 500
DT 20.6
\
t
" "X
s
i i i i
111 i
i i i i
i ¦ i i
(NT. BOUND.
DT 19.4
0.4 Miles
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
\
DT
14.6 W
A
^A:
¦ i i i
¦ i i i
~ ~
_
i i i i
i i i r-
66 133
ROUGE RIVER
500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000
OT
8 7 W
1
\
I
V
\
\
\
\
1
\
\
\
\
_ _
V
1 1 1 1
i i i
DT .3.9
'
N
i i i i
1 1 1 1
- i i T—1
LEGEND
500 1000
SCALE
1962 — Project Data
— — — 1963 — Project Data
10,000 |
INT. BOUND.
I 5,000
20,000
Horizontal - Distance from West Shore as Indicated
Vertical— Avg Phe n o I — M ic r o gra ms per Liter as Indicated
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE PHENOL CONCENTRATIONS
1962 - 1963
DETROIT RIVER
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EOUCATION.S WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE IL E, MICHIGAN
-------
FIGURE 20-3
DT
30.8W
__ ^
1 1 1 1
• til
1 1 1 1
lilt
1 1 1 1
DT 19.4
0.4 Miles
**
v
N»
V
2000 2300
100
DT 20.6
i 1 i i
i i i i
1 1 1 1
i i i i
i i i i
500 1000 1500 2000 2300
INT. S'OUND.
DT
14.6W
\v
\ >
\ \
S>
-
¦ i i i
iiii
i i i i
iiii
iiii
iiii
66 133
ROUGE RIVER
500 1000 1300 2000 2500 3000
DT
0.7W
\
\
\ \
\\
\v
\ \
\ \
\ ^
\
\
V
V \
>
IIII
i i i i
i i i
DT 3.9
\ \
\\
/
/ /
\\
\\
\\
//
/ /
>\
V
/ /
y/
_ _
IIII
iiii
llll
iiii
LEGENO
SCALE
— 1962 - Project Ooto
— — — 1963 — Project Ooto
10,000 I .
INT. BOUND.
15,000
20,000
Ho rizontal — Distance from West Shore as Indicated
Vert ical - A vg. C hi or ide — M 111 ig r o m s per Liter as Indicated
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE CHLORIDE CONCENTRATIONS
1962-1963
DETROIT RIVER
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, a WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
SOURCES AND CHARACTERISTICS OF WASTES
Municipal
In addition to study of operating records of sewage treatment plants
(see Figures 11-1 through 15-1) of interest to this Project, U-day surveys
were made in cooperation with the Michigan Department of Health during which
waste flows were measured, hourly bacteriological samples and 12-hour com-
posite chemical, biochemical, and physical samples collected and analyzed in
the Project laboratory. Summer and fall surveys were made at the Detroit and
Wyandotte plants and a single survey conducted at the remaining installations.
Location of the sewage treatment plant outfalls in the Detroit River is
shown in Figure 7-II. Table 6-V summarizes the results of the surveys x*hile
Tablere 7-V lists the waste loadings in some quantitative unit, such as lbs.
or gallons. Tables 8-V summarizes treatment efficiency in removing certain waste
constituents.
Detroit (Belle Isle Sewage Treatment Plant)
Results from the survey revealed a plant influent of low concentration
and treatment removal efficiencies within accepted limits for this type facil-
ity. While the per cent BOD removed was low (2$%) the low concentration in the
influent (60 mg/l) makes it difficult to achieve a higher degree of removal.
Total coliform and fecal streptococci concentration in the effluent were high
(7,890,000 and 297,000) but should be expected in this type plant, without
chlorination.
Detroit (Main Sewage Treatment Plant)
Study of the plant effluent results collected during these surveys reveal-
ed waste constituents at levels normally not associated with domestic wastes.
h9-V
-------
Among these are oil and grease, phenols, copper, iron, chromium, nickel, zinc,
and lead. Average phenol effluent concentrations during the two surveys was
303 >ig/l, -far in excess of the 20 jig/1 value recommended by the International
Joint Commission. Effluent oil concentration averaged 30 mg/l, which is double
the International Joint Commission recommended effluent concentrations of 15
mg/l. Oil and phenol waste loadings to the Detroit River during this survey
were high (15,500 gallons/day and 1,260 lbs/day respectively).
Ammonia-nitrogen concentration in the effluent was high (7.7 mg/l) as were
ammonia loadings (31,500 lbs/day). All forms of nitrogen expressed as the
element averaged 12 mg/l which represents a loading to the river of over 51,000
lbs/day. Phosphate effluent concentration averaged 36 mg/l in the total and
111 mg/l in the soluble form. This represents a discharge to the Detroit River
of 115,000 and 65,000 lbs/day of this substance.
Suspended solids, cettloable solids, and BOD values in the plant effluent
are considered high at llj.0, 60, and 109 mg/l. Treatment efficiency for these
substances is considered low although study of long term records revealed high-
er efficiency at other times. Settleable solids removal during the survey was
considered poor at Sh%. The average suspended solids loading of 607,000 lbs/day
is considered high. BOD loadings to the Detroit River of 500,000 lbs/day repre-
sent a population equivalent of approximately 3 million.
Bacteria removal during the survey was excellent and concentration in the
jffluent very low with geometric means for total and fecal coliform and fecal
streptococci under 125 organisms per 100 ml during the first survey and all
inder 500 organisms per 100 ml during the second. This presumably was accom-
jlished by raising the level of chlorination^ and while averages during the
lurvey do not correspond with mean month averages during the study period
50-V
-------
(see Figure 11-1) they show that effective bacterial control can be accomplished
on an average basis. During the eight days of the survey period lb per cent of
the samples collected exceeds 2h00 organisms per 100 ml and h.5% exceeds 20,000
organisms per 100 ml. During this same period 1%% of the fecal streptococci
samples exceed 2,h00 organisms per 100 ml and 1% exceeds 10,000. There was
some indication that fecal streptococci were not as effectively reduced by chlor-
ination as were coliforms.
Wayne County Sewage Treatment Plant (Wyandotte)
Results of these surveys indicate waste constituents at levels normally
not associated with domestic sewage. These include phenols, oil and grease,
iron, chromium, copper, cadmium, nickel, zinc, and lead.
Average concentration of suspended solids and settleable solids were high
(95 and 32 mg/l) during the two surveys and loadings to the river significant
(17,000 and 5j600 lbs/day). Average BOD in the effluent during the first sur-
vey was high at 120 mg/l and the loadings significant (22,100 lbs/day). This
0
discharge represents a population equivalent of 132,000, Treatment efficiency in
this type of plant for BOD and suspended solids removal was in the expected
range for this type of plant at 35% and 61% respectively.
Average phenol concentration in the effluent was 71 jug/l, far above the
International Joint Commission recommended effluent level of 20^ig/l and oil
grease average effluent values of 20 mg/l slightly above the International
Joint Commission recommended limit of 15 mg/l.
Ammonia nitrogen average effluent concentration during the two surveys
was high at 16 mg/l and loadingto the Detroit River of this constituent was
high (2,900 lbs/day). Total nitrogen compounds as nitrogen averaged 19 mg/l
51,-v
-------
in the effluent during the surveys representing loadings of over 3,h00 lbs/day.
Phosphates were present in the effluent in average concentrations of hO mg/l in
the total form and 28 mg/l in the soluble form. This represents waste discharges
to the river of over 7,200 and 5,000 lbs/day respectively.
Bacteriological control was excellent during the first survey when chlor-
ination of the effluent was practiced. Geometric mean concentrations for total
coliforms, fecal coliforms and fecal streptococci during the first survey was
less than 100 organisms per 100 ml. Study of plant operation records ("Figure
ll-l) reveals these results are not typical but once again, it is encouraging
to note that results in this magnitude can be obtained. During the survey
% of the total coliform results exceed 2,h00 organisms per 100 ml and none
exceed 10,000 organisms per 100 ml. During the second survey effluent chlor-
ination was not practiced and geometric means for total coliform, fecal coli-
form and fecal streptococci exceeded one million.
The cyanide concentration from the Wyandotte plant with maximum values
during the first survey was 0.11 mg/l and the average loadings to the river
was 3 lbs/day. This was the only domestic plant surveyed with values of cyan-
ides above the sensitive level of the test (0.01 mg/l).
Wayne County Sewage Treatment Plant (Trenton)
Results of the Trenton survey revealed high concentrations of oil and
grease, and phenols in the plant effluent (2ii^ig/l) and Ul mg/l). Values of
both constituents exceed International Joint Commission recommended effluent
levels of 20 )ig/l and 1$ mg/l respectively.
Average suspended and settleable solids were high in the effluent at 80
and lii mg/l but treatment efficiency was within the range expected for this
type of installation. Average suspended solids discharge to the Detroit River
$2 -V
-------
was 1,600 pounds per day. Biochemical Oxygen Demand in the effluent averaged
83 mg/l, representing a loading of 1,780 pounds per day or a population
equivalent of over 10,000. Treatment efficiency in BOD removal vac low
(33 per cent).
Bacteriological control during the survey was excellent, with all samples
examined averaging less than 15 organisms per 100 ml. Examination of plant
records (Figure 11-I) reveals that though these values are not typical, they
are certainly outstanding.
Wayne County Treatment Plant (Grosse lie)
The results of this survey revealed phenols and oil and grease effluent
concentrations in excess of International Joint Commission recommended
effluent limits.
Suspended and settleable solids in the effluent averaged 63 and 9 ng/l
respectively, and removal efficiencies for suspended solids ~.t 59 per cent
were within expected limits for this tyv>e installation. BOD overaged 80 mg/l
in the effluent, which represents a population equivalent of '.'50.
Bacterial control during the survey -./-as excellent, with effluent geometric
means for all organisms examined under 25 per 100 ml.
53-v
-------
The tat>le below lists present loadings of iron, oil, phenols, and
suspended solids along with reductions which would "be effected if IJC-
recommended effluent limitations and a suspended solids limitation of both
50 and 85 mg/l vere met at all the domestic sewage treatment plants in the
Detroit area.
Loading Per Cent
.Pollutant Present Loafliiy; After Reduction Reduction
Oil and Grease 16,000 gallons/day P.,k?.0 gallons/day hj
Phenols 1,270 pounds/day 90 pounds/day 93
Iron 25,^00 pounds/day 25,b00 pounds/day 0
Suspended Solids 62',000 pounds/day
(Reduced to 85 n^/l) - 382,000 pounds/day 39
(Reduced to 50 m^/l) - 225,000 pounds/day 6b
Approximately 99 per cent of the iron 'Prom domestic sources being dis-
charged to the Detroit River originates from the Detroit Cc-r^^e Treatment
Plant. The average iron concentration of 5-5 mg/l meets L7C-recommended
effluent limitations but shill results in a substantial loading to the River.
Study of the preceding tables and other supporting data reveals the main
plant of the City of Detroit as the major domestic source of almost p-1 1 waste
constituents. For example, Detroit discharges 99 per cent of the iron loadings
from domestic sources, 99 per cent of the phenolic loading, 97 per cent of
the oil, 95 per cent of the E0D loading, 97 per cenc of t ie suspended solids,
98 per cent of the settlenble solids, and 99 per cent of the toxic metals.
It also constitutes 95 per cent of the total volume of -..-aster, discharged and
serves 91 per cent of the people served by the sevage t rcatv.^.it plants dis-
charging wastes to the Detroit River.
5U-v
-------
PAGE NOT
AVAILABLE
DIGITALLY
-------
PAGE NOT
AVAILABLE
DIGITALLY
-------
PAGE NOT
AVAILABLE
DIGITALLY
-------
Industrial
Industrialization of the Detroit area differs from that of many other
metropolitan areas in that manufacturing is primarily lodged in a single
industry, motor vehicle production, or the raw materials, parts, and access-
ories that go into the manufacture of transportation equipment. Production of
synthetic organics and heavy chemicals from the extensive underground salt de-
posits provides another sizeable segment of the industry of the area. Five
paper mills in the Monroe area manufacture paperboard from waste paper and
one paper plant on the Rouge River manufactures paper tissues by the sulfite
process. Other manufacturing establishments involved are pharmaceutical,
rendering, and petroleum refining industries. Figures 5-II and 6-II show the
location of all the industries investigated in the study.
Investigation of these sources of industrial wastes was made as a cooper-
ative effort of the Michigan Water Resources Commission and the Public Health
Service. Individual surveys were made of each industry discharging wastes
directly to the Detroit River, Lake Erie, and certain of their tributaries.
The survey reports contain information relative to the volume and strength of
wastes discharged as well as basic facts relative to the plant itself (i.e.,
type of waste products, production, waste treatment facilities, etc). In addi-
tion to the intensive surveys conducted at each plant ,outfall grab samples were
collected throughout the duration of the Project, Results from both activities
ware considered in formulation of conclusions and recommendations for improve-
ment of waste treatment..
Tables 9-V and 10-V summarize survey results for 35 industries on the
Detroit River. Table 9-V contains average concentrations of selected waste
constituents while Table 10-V summarizes waste loadings in some quantitative
59-v
-------
PAGE NOT
AVAILABLE
DIGITALLY
-------
PAGE NOT
AVAILABLE
DIGITALLY
-------
PAGE NOT
AVAILABLE
DIGITALLY
-------
PAGE NOT
AVAILABLE
DIGITALLY
-------
unit such as pounds or gallons per day. In the computation of -waste loadings
contributed by each industry, only the increase over values found in the
plants' raw water supply was used. In most cases, values found during the
intensive surveys were used as reported, while some were modified by additional
grab samples collected from plant effluents by the Public Health Service.
Tables 11-V through 13-V list the industries by name and location which
discharge wastes directly to the study \/aters of the Detroit Paver and Rouge
River. The tables include information on production where available, waste
water volume, significant waste constituents, snd treatment and control em-
ployed for the process wastes. The tables do not include data on se-./age from
plant employees as in nil but a few minor cases the sewage is discharged to
nearby municipal sewers and is accounted for in the section on domestic wastes.
Industries which discharge process wastes to municipal sewerage systems are
also not included since satisfactory disposal of these wastes is the responsi-
bility of the municipality involved and regain is accounted for in the section
on domestic wastes. The total quantity of waste water released by the Detroit
and Rouge River industries amounts to 1.1 billion gallons per day.
Nine plants are situated on the Rouge River and use this watercourse as
the receiving stream for dilution of their wastes. The principal products are
steel, fabricated metals, heavy chemicals, pulp and paper, cement, and meat-
rendering products. (See Table 11-V.) These plants produce a total waste
volume of 48U million gallons per day. Eighty-three per cent of this volume
originates from the Ford Motor Company. Principal waste constituents are iron,
oxygen-demanding materials, bacteria, suspended solids, oil, waste pickle
liquor, phenols, chlorides, cyanides, toxic metals, and arar.onia. With the
63-V
-------
TABLE 11-V. SCURC3S 0? Ij IEU STRIA L VASES - P.CUC-E RIVER
Industry
Voluiu?
C?:c-d)
Product
Significant
Production !'aste Constituents
tfaste Treatment or
Control
Allied Cr.er.ical Corporation
General Chemicals Division 9*H
Plastic Division
0.U8
sulfuric acid,
aluminun sulphate,
coal tar, pitch,
oil.
acid
phenols,
ponds, pH monitors,
dephenolizers,
settling, oil
separators.
Semet-Solvay Division
American Agricultural
Chemical Company
Darling and Company
5-9 high-grade coke
and "by-products
Solvay Process Division 15-2 soda ash
1.15
1.13
fertilizer, gelatin,
fluoride salts
fats and neat rr.^al
phenols
1,000 suspended solids,
ton/day chlorides, phenols
acid
BOD, coliform, IT,
suspended solids,
oil
dephenolizer, oil
separator
lagoons
none
sedimentation
Ford J'otor Company
Peerless Cement Cor;.??\ry
Scott Paper Company
UOO steel, castings, coke,
glass, automobiles
8.1 Portland cc:nJ
U3.8 high-grade pnper
tissue
phenols, CII, ITU ,
iron, oil ^
3 lA million suspended
"barrels/year solids
2^0 tons/day BOD, pH, Susp.
solids, phenols.
oil separator,
sedimentation,
sub-surface
injection.
none
screening,
clarifiers
TOTAL
^33.72
-------
exception of the American Agricultural Chemical Company and Peerless Cement,
the industries provide some form of treatment to restrict discharge of wastes
1;o the Rouge River.
Undoubtedly, considerable volumes of oil are released to the River during
accidents or spills which are not reflected in the effluent results of'the
industries but, nevertheless, are significant and exert tremendous demands
upon the -water resources of the Rouge and Detroit Rivers.
Six industries shoim in Table IP-7 discharge vastes directly to the Detroit
River above the Rouge River outlet. The Allied Chemical Corporation, Solvay
Process Division, discharges a portion of its '.Tastes through the Schroeder
Avenue storm sewer and one ou;'.f.":ll locrted nn 7,v./- Island immediately below
the outfalls of the Great Lal:os Oteel .'orooration, 'Blast j?umace Division.
The plants manufacture copper and brass products, pharmaceuticals, rubber tires,
soda ash, col:e, and iron. Ho gnificanv. zte constitucnts originating from these
industries consist of chlorides, iron, suspended solids, phenols, ammonia, and
oil. All provide some form of treatment with the exception of Parke Davis.
Twenty-one industries shown in Table 13-V release wastes directly to the
Detroit River below the Rouge River. Four arc large steel manufacturing.com-
plexes, four produce automobile machinery, nine manufacture synthetic organic
and heavy chemicals, others make industri 1 adhesives and petroleum products,
and one is engaged in the vessel-washing bvsinons. It has been reported that
the vessel-washing company is no longer i; "^¦siness. Potential waste pollutants
include acids, oxidizing agents, suspended solids, phosphates, oil, ammonia,
phenols, oxygen-demanding materials, iron,' and chlorides. Common waste treat-
ment methods are oil separation, oxidation for phenol control, and ponding for
65-V
-------
TABLE 12-V. S0URC3S C? INDUSTRIAL VASTSS - UPPER DETROIT RIVER
Industry
Parke Davis and Company
Volune
Allied Che:nical Corporation
Solvay Process Division
Anaconda -Ar.er i can
Brass Company
Great Lakes Steel Corporation
Blast Furnace Division
6.U
5-3
90
Product
Significant Vastc Treatment or
Production Vaste Constituents Control
soda ash
%
coDper
coke, pit; iron, coks
by-products
8.1 "Dhamaceuticals
On
ijjRevere Copper and Brass Company 2.9 brass and copper
U.S. Rubber Cor.pany
k2 tires
TOTAL 15^.7
1,000 suspended solids, lagoons
tons/day chlorides, phenols
toxic metals, acid neutralization,
settling
iron, susp. sol., clarifiers,
phenols, oil, 1IH , dephenolizer
cyanides ¦3
none
oil, toxic metal
none
none
oil separators
oil skimmers
-------
TABLE 13-V. SOURCES OF INDUSTRIAL WASTES - LOVER DETROIT RIVER
Industry
Volume
(MGD) Product
Significant
Production Waste Constituents
Waste Treatment or
Control
Chrsyler Corporation
Amnlex Division
Chemical Products
Division
O.32 gears
0.27 chemical adhesives,
brake linings,
soluble oils
none
none
none
none
Engine Plant
Dana Corporation
E.I. duPont del'Jemour s
and Company
Firestone Tiro ami
Rubber Convnanv
1.1 engines
O.38 auto and truck frar.es,
trilevel RR car carriers
l.U sulfuric acid, oleun
1.0 wheel rims
55 ,000/mo. oil
Fuel Oil Corporation 12,2^0* ship washing
lC ships/yr
phenols, acid, oil,
iron
acid
11,^00,000 acid, iron, oil,
lbs./mo. suspended solids
oil, suspended
solids
air flotation and
oil skimmer, chem-
ical coagulation
none
none
oil separator,
ponds, diffuser
pipes
oil separator
Great Lakes Steel
Corporation
Hot r,r> Mi,' 1
Rolling Mill
72 sheet steel
72 strip, sheet and bar
steel'
oil, iron,
suspended solids
oil, phenols, acid,
iron, suspended
solids
oil skimmers and
settling basins
oil separators
* gallonG per hour when washing ship.
-------
TABLE 13-V - Continued
Industry
Volume
(mgd)
Product
Koppe rs Cor.pa ,
Incorporated
McLouth Steel
Corporation
Girbraltar Plant
0.8 naphthaline, paraffin
epoxy resins
1.6 cold rolled steel
Trenton Plant
65.7 stainless steel
Mobil Oil Corporation 1.1 gasoline, naptha,
kerosine, oils
Monsanto Chemical
Company
18 phosphates and
detergent
Pennsalt Chemicals
Corporation
East Plant
97 chlorine, caustic, MIL
hydrogen peroxide,
acid, ferric chloride
West Plant
6.8 organic chemical:
Shavinigan Resins 0.4
Corporation and Mon-
santo Sailex Division
polyvinyl "butyral
Ethyl acetate
Significant Waste Treatment or
Production ' Waste Constituents Control
phenols, oil
none
80,000 acid, iron, suspen-
tons/no. ded solids, oil
oil skimmers,
lagoons
2,530,000
tons/yr.
iron, suspended
solids, oil
chemical coagula-
lation, settling
neutralization,
oil separators
phenols, oil, chlor-
ides, suspended
solids
oil separator,
¦Donds
phosphates, lagoons
suspended solids
NH~, chlorine, chlor- none
ides, suspended
solids
phenols, chlorides,
suspended solids,
oil, oxidizing
agents
lagoons, oil
skimmers
500,000 acid, BOD, suspen-
lbs/vreek solids
lagoons,
neutralization
-------
TABLE 13-V — Continued
Indust ry
Volume
(HGD) Product
Wyandotte Chemicals
Corporation
North Plant
South Plant
57 soda ashj bicarb of
soda, lime, calciur.
carbonate, cellulose
5^-7 chlorine, lir.e, glycol,
cement, soda, dry ice
Propylene Oxide
Plant
1.0 propylene oxide
On
NO
I
-------
sedimentation and controlled waste discharge. Industries that do not provide
any means of treatment are Chrysler Corporation (Amplex and Chemical Products
Divisions), Dana Corporation, duPont, Koppers Company, and the Pennsalt
Chemical Corporation East Plant.
In the Detroit area the principal characteristics of most industrial
•/astes discharged directly to adjacent -raters can "be described in terns of
suspended solids, BOD, oil, phenols, acid, ammonia, chlorides, iron, and toxic
ions in plating and metal finishing wastes such as cyanide, chromium, copper,
cadmium, nickel, zinc, and lead.
Table 1^-V summarizes waste loading by area of contribution for several
constituents of interest in describing water quality in the Detroit River.
Waste loadings represent amounts added by each industry in excess of that in
the raw water supply used by L.'ie industry.
Table 15-V sho:rs those concentrations of --Taste material." released to the
Rouge River which cither exccccl the IJC vccor,ij'ienG3tions for co.itrol of boundary
water quality or exceed reasonable limits for effective waste control. In the
case of suspended solids, the .judgment '.'-..v. based on the fact that effective
sedimentation of wastes should remove essentially all of the readily settleable
material and reduce the remaining suspw.rlcu solids to a level not to exceed
85 mg/l.
The principal -'Tastes frou the Allied Chemical Corporation plants are
chlorides, phenols, and suspended solids Iron the two Solvrv- I'rocess plants
-;vhich typify wastes produced in making go^.c. ash. Vhese plants produce their
own coke for firing the ovens, which acco-mts for the phenolic compounds
70-V
-------
TABLE lU-V. INDUSTRIAL WASTE LOADINGS BY AREA - DETROIT RIVER
BOD
BOD
OIL
IRON
Susp. Solids
Area
(lbs)
(PE)
(gallons)
(lbs)
(lbs)
Rouge River
1^5, 000
871,000
933
19,000
106,000
Upper Detroit River
5,260
31,1400
735
5,150
222,000
Lower Detroit River
19,700
118,000
1,680
58,200
53U,000
Total
169,960
1,020,U00
3,3U8
82,350
86^,000
Toxic
Cyanides
Phenol Chlorides
Ammonia
Metals Acid
Area
(lbs)
(lbs)
(lbs)
(lbs)
(lbs) (lbs)
Rouge River
900
'810 307,000
5,280
2,0li0 50,000
Upper Detroit River
10
373 ^70,000
2,910
1,950 0
Lower Detroit River
119
225 l,9l;0,000
336
1,200 185,900
Total
1,029
1,U08 2,717,000
8,526
5,190 235,900
7I-V
-------
TABLE 15-V. INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS CONTAINING EXCESSIVE
CONCENTRATIONS OF WASTE MATERIALS
Phenols pH Oil Chlorides Susp.Sol. Sett.Sol. Iron BOD
Rouge River (j*g/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l)
Allied Chem. Corp.
Solva;; Process Div,
Waste Fond jo. 3 750 11.1 100,000 23ii kh
.\'o. 2 hl5 11.0 115,000 216
Sewer No. 1 hS
" No. 3 55 166
Plastics Div. 8,750 950
Darling St Co. 50 110 830
Scott, Paper Co. 73 97 372
Peerless Ceneni 331 272
Ford Motor Co.
Gate 11 23 51
Tailrace 375
Roulo Creek lx.6 171 133 28
Foundry 2,2hS 102 87
-------
The Plastic Division plant produces the phenolic waste from the distillation
of crude tar in making carbolic oils and pitch. Darling and Company, a
meat-rendering plant, produces wastes which typify waste water from a
slaughterhouse with ineffective control measures. The effluent is high in
organic content - 7,000 pounds per day BOD. Ford Motor Company, "by far the
largest water user in the Rouge Paver, releases large quantities of pollu-
tants as seen in Table 10-V. The foilli.~.t?>,'•; gives "^he per cent of
industrial waste pollutants discharge'"' to the P^ouge 7'iver which originate
from the Ford Motor Company:
Industrial vfoste Pollutant Per Cent from Ford
Iron 100
Cyanides 100
Ammonia 95
Toxic Metals 9--
Suspended Solids 5^
Oil" 07.5
Phenols 9^0
Acid 100
It is easily seen that the wastes from the Ford Motor Co ;:;:ny contribute
significantly to the polluted condition o-' the Rouge River. 1Tre iron, at
times as high as 60,000 pounds per day, "("counts for the red'ish hue of the
Ptiver which continues even n^,cr dilution :.-i.th the Detroit and excessive,
j
quantities of untreated pic'cl e liquor -.Taste, 50,000 pounds ; f-.y acid,
discolors and corrodes the hulls of boats moored in the waters. Iron sludge
that settles to the bottom impairs the aquatic life of the area by smothering
habitats for reproduction, and in order to maintain the ship channels, the
Corps of Engineers must remove large quantities of iron deposits annually in
their maintenance dredging program. The phenolic wastes taint the flesh of
fish and contribute to tastes and odors in drinhing \iz.ter supplies. The
73-V
-------
phenol discharge of 750 pounds per day exceeds the limits set "by the Michigan
Water Resources Commission "by 150 pounds per day. Cyanides and toxic metals
in amounts of 900 and 2,000 pounds are released to the Rouge Eiver daily.
Roulo Creek and the Tailrace outlets discharge 95 per cent of the toxic ions.
Copper, at 1,500 pounds per day, is the principal toxic metal in "the effluent.
Ford Motor Company discharges 900 gallons of oil per day which can often be
observed as a thin film on the -.rater surface of the Rouge River. Evidence
indicates that the oil skimmer stretched c. crocs Roulo Creek is not functioning
properly as an oil removal device. Probably the oil released to Roulo Creek
:Ls largely in the soluble form and does not rise to the surface. High
concentrations of iron snd oil -.rare fornc! :"..i he sludge deposits of the
Ford Motor Company slip. The oil, as -/ell as other pollutants, seriously
limits the use of the v/ater resources of the Rouge River for anything "but
va3te disposal. The Ford Motor Company Rouge Plant is one of the largest of
its kind in the -world ana has in the oast been able to manufacture an auto-
mobile from the basic raw materials of iron ore, sand, and crude rubber.
Their vaste products exhibit the vastness of the operation.
Scott Paper Company also releases large quantities of -/aste products
which include oxygen-demanding materials in the amount of 135,000 pounds Der
day BOD (equivalent to a population of .yror ?;00,000). These i/astes impose a
large burden on the oxygen resources of the Rou-;e River. Paper pulp passing
the traps also contributes to a share of the sediror.t problem in the Rouge
River.
Tabic lo-V summarizes effluent i?aste concentrations in the upper Detroit
River considered to be excessive. Average concentrations and loadings for
this area are found in Tables 9-V or 10-V.
7ii-V
-------
TABLE 16-V. INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS CONTAINING EXCESSIVE
CONCENTRATIONS OF WASTE MATERIALS
Phenols pH Oil Chlorides Susp.Sol. Sett.Sol. Iron BOD
Upper Detroit Paver (*ig/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l)
Revere Copper and Brass
Co.
Outfall No. 1 lii6 115 81
Outfall Mo. 2 UU
Allied Chem. Corp.
Solvay Process Div.
Cone Effluent i|l;5 11.0 185,000 11,500 11,500
Great Lakes Steel
—0
VT.
< Blast. Furnace Div.
Outfall No. 2 1,150 95 95 20
No. 3 172 172 35
" No. h 68 37 165 180 16
" No. UA hlO 82
Mo. 5 IW4 1U3 h9
" No. 6 1,250 12
Mo. 7 176 17h
No. 8 176 2h0 220
Parke-Davis
Outfall No. 1 15
« No. 2 15
11 No. 3 27
-------
The ^Taste effluents from Parke Davis, Anaconda-American Braes Company,
and U.S. Rubber Company have only limited effect on the Detroit River -water
cjuality. However, the U.S. Rubber Company does discharge 650 pounds per day
of zinc to the Detroit River.
The Great Lakes Steel Corporation, Blast Furnace Division, releases sr
Large percentage of the i/aste materials thct enter the upper Detroit River
as shown by the following listing:
Pollutant Percentage
Iron 99
Oil 50
Phenols 00
suspended Solids
Toxic Metals pi
Ammonia 100
Almost all of the eight outfalls contained phenols above the recommended
limit of 0.020 ng/ 1 and suspended solids discharged were concentrated enough
to discolor the River in a trail close to the shoreline. suspended solids
were prirjarily made up of readily settleable material. Approximately 1,000
pounds per day of toxic metals are lost to the Detroit River with 700 pounds
of this being /inc.
The Allied Chemical-Golvny Process outfall, located below the Blast
Furnace complex, discharged 5'(- per cent of the suspended solids and 96 per cent
of the chlorides to this reach of the Paver. Thit, o:.e outfall, although small
in flow, contained the largest concsentrr.jf pollutanta observed during th'e
study even though the flow passed through a so;dir.or.tr.ti-.).- :ond.
The Revere Copper and Brass Company -.fiste effluent tischarged 360 gallons
of oil per day w'.iich represented over half the amount of oil released in the
upper Rive;".
76-V
-------
Table 17-V lists those industries in the loi/er Detroit River whose
effluent discharge is considered to contain certain waste constituents in
excessive concentrations.
During stream sampling activities in the lover Detroit River many visual
observations and laboratory determinations were made by Project personnel
which indicate the effect of specific industries upon water quality in the
River. These include:
1. The Great Lakes Gteel hot Strop Mill effluent contains oil which
leaves a film on the -rater surface. Significant quantities of suspended iron
can be seen discoloring and hugging the shoreline- below the outfalls.
2. Thick ~A.its of oil have been observed on the -,/ater surface near the
Great Lakes Gtecl Rolling Mill and traced to their oil separator outfalls.
Pickle liquor i/actes containing 158,000 pounds per day sulfuric acid and
UOjOOO pounds per day dissolved iron rre released at trie downstream edge of
the steel works, and the effectsof this can be observed in the vicinity of
Mud Island and Ecorse Channel where the oxidized iron exhibits a noticeable
red color to the crater.
3. Discoloration of the Detroit River :7ater from the calcium chloride
wastes of the T.7yanriotte Chemical Company rlo'rth vZorks.
b. Increased chloride readings in water samples collected at shoreward
river stations in reaches below both iTyandotte frctories and the Pennsalt
East Plant. In fact, those three factories contribute approximately 27
per cent of the chloride flow in the Trenton Channel.
5. Lower concentrations of coliform bacteria and attached aquatic algae
at shore-w-ard stations in the vicinity of the tiro Grosse lie bridges presumably
77-V
-------
TABLE 1?-V. INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS CONTAINING EXCESSIVE
CONCENTRATIONS OF WASTE MATERIALS
Phenols pH Oil Chlorides Susp.Sol. Sett.Sol. Iron BOD
Lower Detroi^ JUver (_^_g/l_) (mg/l) (mg/l ) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l)
Chrysler Corp.
Engine Div. 31
Dana Corp.
Outfall No. 1 Il7 57
Outfall o. 3 13^ 23 320
E. I. duPont
de Nemours & Co. 2.3 2)4
—j Firestone Tire &
Rubber Co,
^ Ash Pit 365 301
Outfall '.J;. 3 2.5 h70
Fuel Oil Corp. 3^7 590
Great Lakes Steel Corp.
Hot Strip Hill
Sewer Mo. 1 90 75
RoDling Mil]
Ou t fa"' 1 ';o. 1 Ub
J''r- if. Liquor 1.7 22hO
Outfall No. 2 32 119 7h 50
Outfall No. 3 b.O U9 67
Outfall No. b 20 28
Outfall No. 11 165 27
Outfall No. 7 26
-------
TABLE 17-V.
INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS CONTAINING EXCESSIVE
CONCENTRATIONS OF WASTE MATERIALS (COHT.)
Lower Detroit River
Phenols pH Oil Chlorides Susp.Sol. Sett.Sol.
(yig/1) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l)
Iron BOD
(mg/l) (mg/l)
Koppers Co.
Sev/er No. 2
Sewer No. 3
Monsanto Chem. Co.
Mobil Oil Co.
Pennsalt Chem. Corp.
East Flant
Outfall No. 1
Outfall Mo. 2
Outfall -Jo. 3
Outfall Mo. U
Wye St.
Perchloron Plant
West Plant
Wyandotte Chem. Corp,
North Plan:
Outfall Mo. 1
Our.faj J No. 2
Outfall No. 2A
Outfall No. 3
Outfall No. h
Outfall No. UA
1360
12500
82
1500
6550
788
19750
585
76
292
35
3165
2780
113
lh7
18.0
7hl
137
706
119
llli
107
29
ill
U2
113
12h
99
606
50
120
-------
TABLE 17-V. INDUSTRIAL EFFLUENTS CONTAINING EXCESSIVE
CONCENTRATIONS OF WASTE MATERIALS (CONT.)
Phenols pH Oil Chlorides Susp.Sol. Sett.Sol. Iron BOD
Lower Detroit River __ (flg/1) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/1) (mg/l) (mg/l) (mg/l)
Wyandotte Chem. Corp.
South Plant
Outfall Ho. 1 39
No. 2 319k 275 HiU
No. 3 1977 590 225
No. U 139 103
Propylene Oxide Plant 11.0 163
McLouth Steel Corp.
Gibraltar Plant 3.6 1835
Trenton Plant
Outfall Mo. 1 27 6U
'' No. 2 3k
n
it
K 0 •
3 60S 600
Mo. la 26 35
Shav/inigan Resins Corp. 1900
-------
caused by the loss of strong oxidizing agents from the Wyandotte and Pennsalt
Chemical Plants.
6. Patches of oil and floating solids in Monguagon Creek from the
Pennsalt West Plant.
7. Discoloration of nearly one-half of the Trenton Channel from the
suspended iron passing over the effluent weirs of the McLouth Steel Trenton
Plant clarifiers. In fact, results of samples collected three times a day
and tested for suspended solids and iron by the McLouth Steel personnel and
famished to the Michigan •/¦iter Pie sources Commission at their request,
demonstrate ineffective -waste control in that both constituents exceed the
Michigan Water Resources Commission proscribed limits approximately one-half
the time. The most recent records do reveal better and more consistent opera-
tion of existing r.-aste facilities. From the standpoint of removal of
suspended solids, this is evidenced by the fact that during the last 2 months
of available operating records, the limitations imposed by the Michigan Water
Resources Commission were exceeded only P. per cent of the time. Iron con-
centration in the effluent exceeded Commission requirements less" than "1* per-'-Cent
of the time during this period.
8. Profuse growths of attached aquatic weeks in the lover Trenton
Channel near the phosphate-enriched outfall of the Monsanto Chemical Plant.
9. Sludge deposits and layers of accumulated sediments in boat slips
and other areas -./here the velocity of flow is retarded sufficiently to
cause settling.
81-V
-------
10. Globules of oil and iron deposits in the Frank and. Poet Drain near
the town of Gibraltar and presumably from the wastes of the McLouth Steel
Gibraltar Plant.
11. Concentrated iron deposits in the vicinity of the v;aste pickle
liquor outlet of the Firestone Tire and Rubber Company.
12. Foaming problems in the lover Trenton Channel from accidental
spills of detergent from Monsanto Chemical Company.
13. These industries and also the Mobil Oil Corporation contribute large
cruantities of phenols which do not impart a visual impairment to the water
but, nevertheless, can measurably degrade the quality by tainting the flesh
of fish and causing tastes and odors in -/ater supplies.
1^. Toxic metals in amounts of 3^5 S-nd TOO pounds per day are emptied
into the River by the Great Lakes Steel Hot Strip Mill and McLouth Steel
Trenton Plant. Load is the principal metal from the Strip I "Jl, while zinc
and lead comprise most of metal lost from McLouth.
15. Gliai/ini:;an Resins discharges r{, 000 pounds of BOD daily to the
lower Detroit River, which places a demanding load on the oxygen resources
of the River. However, a settling lagoon has since been installed by this
company which may change t ic BOD picture.
These factors and many others, vhich go undetected, severely, limit
the use of the i/ater resources in the downriver area.
82-V
-------
The table "belov lists reductions in industrial waste loadings in the
Detroit River, if excessive concentrations of certain constituents were re-
duced "by effective treatment or management to meet International Joint Commis-
Eiion effluent recommendations and a suspended solids effluent limit of 85 mg/l-
Loadings after Per Cent
Pollutant Present Loading Reduction Reduction
Iron 82,300 nounds/day 2k,&00 pounds/day JO
Oil 3,3^0 gallons/day 1,900 gallons/day 1+3
I'henols 1,^00 pounds/day 80 pounds/day 9^
Suspended Solids 06*1,000 pounds/day 207,000 pounds/day 76
In the Rouge River a reduction of the load reaching the Rouge River, of
|50 per- cent of the suspended solids, 37 per cent of the iron, 9"+ per cent of
the phenols, and 2 per cent of the oil would result. In order to effect an
jidditional reduction in oil loadings to the Rouge, an internal plant program
would have to be inaugurated to prevent oil from reaching plant drains.
In the upper Detroit River suspended-solids could "be reduced 98 per cent,
phenols 96 per cent and oil 6k per cent.
In the lower Detroit River suspended solids would be reduced 71 per cent
to 15^,000 pounds per day, iron 87 per cent to 7,600 pounds per day, .oil 57
per cent to 723 gallons per day, and phenols 91 per cent to 20 pounds per day.
Industries which are under restrictions by the Michigan V,Tater Resources
Commission because of excessive discharges of wastes are McLouth Steel -
Gibraltar (pH), McLouth Steel - Trenton (iron and suspsnded solids), Mobil Oil
Corporation (phenols and oil), Ford Motor Company - Rouge Plant (phenols),
Pennsalt Chemical Corporation - West Plant (phenols), Fuel Oil Corporation
(oil), Darling and Company (coliform bacteria, BOD), Scott Paper Company
(phenols, BOD, suspended solids), E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company (pH),
83-V
-------
Firestone Tire and Rubber Company (iron, pH), and Great Lakes Steel
Corporation - Hot Strip Mill (suspended solids, oil).
SU-V
-------
Description of Other Wastes
Storm Water Overflow
The majority of the sewered areas utilize combined sewers in which storm
end sanitary wastes are carried. Daring periods of significant rainfall,
these sewers discharge, without treatment, directly to the receiving stream
a combination of storm water and domestic sewage. As indicated by the water
use inventory in this report, over"" 100 such rjoints of overflow are located
along the Detroit River and represent a significant source of waste during
wet conditions.
Several approaches were made toi/ards the evaluation of this problem,
including a cooperative study trLth the State of Michigan regulatory agencies.
These will be described in a later section of this report.
Pollution from Boats
The 1962 Detroit conference proceedings bring out the fact that over
125,000 pleasure boats were registered in the Detroit area, and the water use
inventory of this report lists numerous marina facilities and describes the
magnitude of the commercial shipping industry in this area. All boats, when
used in the waters under study, represent potential sources of pollution from
human wastes.
Estimates of the magnitude of these sources have not been made because
certain information was not available. This information includes:
1. No information relative to number of boats in the water at any one
time or at any one location.
8$-V
-------
2. No information concerning length of average cruise to ascertain
probability of use of waste disposal facilities.
3. Little information available as to number or percentage of vessels
having adequate waste treatment facilities.
The lack of such information prevented an accurate estimate of the
magnitude of this problem and obtaining it would have entailed a separate
survey in itself. This was not considered justified in view of the proba-
bility of the true magnitude of this source compared with other sources
described in this report. The problem, does exist and poses a potential threat
to the water nua.'l ity.
The State of Michigan recently adopted legislation amending the Public
Acts of 1931 to prevent the discharge of garbage to a river or inland lake
of Michigan or within 3 miles of the shoreline of any part of the Great Lakes
or connecting waters thereof in Michigan unless it has passed through a
disposal unit approved by the U.S. Public Health Service. The legislation
authorizes a fine of not more than $1,000 or imprisonment for not more than
one year or both.
The U.S. Corps of Engineers has certain responsibilities relating to
discharge of deleterious material into navigable waters from boats, and these
were described in the section of this report relating to activities of the
Federal Government.
Shorefront Hones
Estimates of the number of unsewered shorefront homes that discharge
sewage directly or from improperly functioning septic tanics to the Detroit
River were made in the 1962 conference transcript. The majority of these
86-V
-------
homes are located on Grosse lie, and a special study was performed to
determine the effect of this source of pollution on -water quality and use.
A report of this survey is made in a later section of this report.
8,7-V
-------
SPECIAL STUDIES
During the conduct of this Project a number of special studies or
investigations were made to collect additional information which might
furnish insight into the relationship of sources of pollution to water
quality in the receiving streams. These activities includedtracing fluores-
cent dye from source to area of water use, determining distribution of flow
in the Detroit River, measurement of overflows from combined and separate
sewers, collection and analysis of bottom deposits in the study area,
intensive investigation of the Detroit River and its tributaries, and study
of the river under unusual conditions.
Grosse lie Pollution Survey
Several studies were made in waters adjacent to Grosse lie to determine
the effect of local xraste sources on the quality of water of beach and resi-
dential areas at the southerly end of Grosse lie. In addition to chemical
arid bacteriological analyses, limited tracer studies were made to determine
the flow patterns for the given conditions of test. Information collected
during this study is presented in Figure 21-V and Table 18-V.
A study was made on the east side of Grosse lie in the area between
Stony Island and Grosse lie, extending to Hickory Island ana Sugar Island.
Oh 3 days,samples were collected at the -Doinhs indicated on Figure PI -V
and on the western half of Range 9-3E- A tracer study was :.r dc by placing dye
at the midpoint between Stony Island and Grosse lie in lino vitn the abandoned
bridge connecting the Island and at a location adjacent to t.ic shore at the
extension of Bellevue Road. The results of the 3-day study are summarized in
Table 18-V.
88-V
-------
TABLE 18-V. SUMMARY OF RESULTS OF GROSSE ILE POLLUTION STUDY
(Note: See Figure 20-V for location of sampling stations.)
Range of Observed Values
Temp
Chlorides
Total Coliform
Fecal Coliform
Fecal Strep
Location
°C~
mg/l
Org/lOO ml
Org/lOO ml
Org/lOO ml
DT 9.3S -
100'
18.0-20.0
16-20
1,900-3,200
95-160
10-20
DT 9-3£ -
200'
18.5-20.0
7-17
700-5,000
60-105
10-20
DT 9.3E -
500'
19.0-20.0
14-20
800-2,200
72-440
10-20
DT 9-3^ •
1200'
19.0-20.0
8-22
2,800-22,000
280-6,150
10-30
No. 12
18.5-20.0
19-25
3,000-26,000
40-155
20-30
No. 13
18.5-20.0
12 -2 r
2,000-4,000
400-600
10-60
No. 14
18.0-19.5
10-27
1,000-8,000
50-1,200
50-300
No. 15
19.0-20.0
9-22
2,700-22,000
405-12,100
<10
No. 16
19.0
15 »°h
3,600-25,000
!-0-7,500
20-60
No. 17
19.0-20.0
9-27
9,000-11,000
405-2,200
5-30
No. 18
19.0-20.0
11-16
3,900-5,000
<,'0-1,500
10-15
Ho. 19
18.0-20.0
16-31
U,100-16,000
205-2,400
70-120
No. 20
18.0-20.0
i4-2o
1,800-6,300
270-315
90-180
No. 21
17.5-20.0
17-25
3,600-8,600
430-540
60-170
No. 22
19.0-20.0
9-1 (
2,400-19,000
300-9,500
30-60
No. 23
18.5-19.5
7-17
1,400-10,000
140-4,000
10-80
No. 24
18.0-20.0
8-18
1,200-4,000
20-3,600
10-25
No. 25
18.5-20
15-19
<1,000-12,000
570-6,000
30-120
Mo. 26
18.5-20.0
16-25
1,400-5,600
350-1,120
20-60
No. 27
l8.5-20.00
] Y-P. "
900-2,too
120-270
70-120
Thorofare
Canal
17.5-21.0
8-27
21,000-24,000
1,100-9,600
130-2,700
on West River Roacl
-------
FIGURE 21-21
-------
At the time the tracer study was made, the rising water level likely
had an influence on the flow pattern noted. As observed "by the dye tracings,
the current was retarded in part as a result of the rising water level. This
i:3 indicated by the shifting of the dye to a position below Stony Island
rather than proceeding directly down the thread of the stream; however, one
would expect some movement in this direction as a result of the changing flow
and cross-sectional area. The dye placed near the septic tank outfall at the
end of Bellevue Road moved along the shoreline in the shallow waters, and its
apparent movement was retarded by the heavy weed groirth in those areas.
Other tests of the flow pattern in this area have indicated that some of
the flow from the Livingstone Channel passes below Powder House Island and
proceeds to discharge into Lake Erie between Hickory and Sugar Islands. Dye
introduced above Powder House Island indicated that the flow proceeded in the
direction between Hickory and Sugar Island.
During the limited period of study, the coliform count on the beach
adjacent to Sugar Island indicated that the i/ater quality i/as unsafe for
bathing purposes. In two of the three instances, the coliform count was
higher at the midpoint between Sugar and Hickory Islands than on the beach.
Coliform counts below Elba Island were generally higher than coliform counts
found in the thread of the stream between buoys BC13 ana RK12, indicating that
the residential areas adjacent to and above Elba Island contribute to the
impairment of the quality of these waters. The quality of water of the
samples taken in the thread of the stream bed did not meet acceptable standards
90-V
-------
for swimming purposes. Therefore, major improvement in waste water treat-
ment for residential areas on Grosse lie may not improve the quality of
water adjacent to beach areas to an acceptable level of quality but would
improve the water along some of the residential shoreline. The water quality
on Sugar Island can be improved if the water upstream in the Detroit River
is improved, as well as various local sources of pollution.
The continuing effort of the State of Michigan regulatory agencies to
bring about pollution abatement and reduce the threat to 'the public health
caused by this condition is recognized. This Project is also aware of the
plan to install sewers and a primary sewage treatment plant on the island.
91-V
-------
Investigation of Bacteriological Regrowth - Detroit River
Review of the literature regarding coliform bacteria results in streams
brought attention to the matter of "bacteria regrowth and die-off. Some
rivers seemed to exhibit a marked increase in total coliform bacteria within
a few hours after discharge occurred to the stream, while other rivers did
not have this characteristic. In order to adequately evaluate the coliform
bacteria results of the Detroit River-La]Erie Project, it was therefore
necessary to determine the pattern of bacteria regrowth and die-off in the
Detroit River.
The purpose of this survey was threefold. First, to pinpoint and define
sources of bacterial contamination goin,-.i into the Detroit River; second, to
determine channeling of wastes into the river; and third, to calculate the
pattern of regro\/th and die-off of coliform bacteria in the Detroit River if
occurring. In view of the fact that the City of Detroit hcsvily chlorinated
their waste effluent to protect downstream sources of water supply, it
became especially important to evaluate this third factor because of experi-
ences elsewhere which showed that there is a significant increase in coliform
organisms when chlorinated sewage is diluted with river water.
The survey was conducted during the period August 12 through August 15,
1963, in the Detroit River from a point 300 feet above the Detroit Sewage
Treatment Plant outfall to Point Hennepin at the north end of Grosse lie.
During this special investigation 216 bacteriological samples were collected.
Results
1. The average results of the survey indicated that no significant
regrowth or die-off of coliform bacteria occurs in the Detroit River from
the Rouge. l?iver to Point Hennepin.
•92-V
-------
2. The first day's sampling indicated a regrovth immediately below
the Rouge River; however, during the remainder of the study a slight die-
off occurred.
3« The survey indicated that the bacterial pollution discharged at the
Rouge River and the Detroit Sewage Treatment Plant remained in American waters
as; far downstream as Point Hennepin.
4. Approximately 62 per cent of the bacterial pollution discharged at
the Rouge River and the Detroit Sewage Treatment Plant followed the channels
closest to the American shore. The remaining 38 per cent was distributed in
other channels east of Grosse lie.
93-V
-------
City of Detroit Raw Sewage Bypass
Introduction
In May 1963* City of Detroit submitted, a request to the Michigan
Water Resources Commission for a temporary increase in use of the waters of
the Detroit River. This temporary use arose from the need to replace "badly
worn 40-year old sluice gates at the Fairview Pumping Station which would
involve bypassing to the Detroit River for approximately 10 days in December.
The Commission ruled that the City of Detroit could proceed with planning
for the proposed bypass and that, upon the recommendation of the Michigan
Department of Conservation's waterfowl specialist, the bypass be restricted
to a 10-day consecutive period between the dates November 10 to November 30-
The Commission also decided that all affected parties should be notified by
the City of Detroit just before the operation would begin. Accordingly, the
Michigan Department of Health issued a permit to the City for the temporary
bypassing of untreated sewage.
Consequently, the City of Detroit began operations to replace the sluice
gates by turning off the pumps at the pumping station at 0800, Tuesday,
November 12. The field crews of the Project began to measure the effect of
the impending bypassing of untreated sewage on the water quality of the Detroit
River by sampling night and day beginning 0100 Tuesday morning. Sampling
activities continued through the weekend and. into the next week until the
sluice gates Iiad been replaced and operations returned to normal. The City
completed the construction work and the station was placed back in service'
at 0310, Friday, November 22. Operations went according to regulations
specified by the Michigan Department of Health in their permit to the City.
.9U-V
-------
Project sampling activities to measure the effect of the bypass continued
until the effect had diminished.
This report contains a summary of the findings during the study.
Operations somewhat similar to that occurring during this period take place
during a storm water overflow.
Operation
An intensive survey was run on the Detroit River as well as portions of
Lake Erie and its "beaches throughout the "bypassing operation. Ranges,
stations, and time of sampling varied during the survey. Seven hundred and
twenty samples were collected throughout the day and night from the beginning
to the end of the bypassing operation. Only bacteria samples were taken;
the tests consisted of total coliform, fecal differentiation, and fecal
streptococcus determination.
During the operation the precise amount of sewage being bypassed to the
river was not Jrnown since the City was apparently able to route an appreciable
volume around the Fairview Pumping Station. From inquiries of personnel at
the pumping station, an estimated 75 nigd was bypassed and 50 :.igd routed
around the station. Although it was assumed that the bypassing operation
would occur constantly throughout the day and night, this was not the case.
Erratic discharge of this material - especially at night and during the early
morning hoitrs - required a revision of the Project sampling schedule to take
this into account.
Project files contain detailed accounts of the results of the sampling
which occurred during this 10-day period. The first effects of the bypassing
?£-V
-------
ort -water quality in the receiving stream were detected at 3 &.m. on the
second day, approximately 9 hours after the initial discharge of "bypassed
sewage.
In summary, the "bacteriological results at the head of the Detroit River
indicated very low concentrations (less than 100 organisms per 100 ml)
throughout the entire operation, indicating this range was not affected by
the operation. In the upper part of the river significant rises in coliform
and fecal streptococci organisms were noted - especially near the United
States shore. The effects of pollution were noted in a band along the shore,
which increased in width from 300 feet just below Cormers Creek at Range
DT 28.4 to about 500 feet 8 miles downstream at a point just above the Rouge
River. Coliform counts in this area increased from 10 to 100 times normal
diy weather values with counts observed in the range of 10,000 to 100,000
organisms per 100 ml.
Below the Rouge a similar increase in coliform concentration over normal
dry weather condition was noted, with the width of the polluted water
increasing to approximately 1,000 feet. On the Canadian sice of Fighting
Island no increase in bacterial concentrations was observed, and one data
indicate the bypassing had no effect on ;ra.cer quality in this .:rea.
Further downstream at Ranfje DT 1^.6 an increase was noted :!n coliform
and fecal streptococci concentrations on the second day of the . .,rnass in
a band about 3>000 feet in width. Results in the Trenton Channel indicated
dispersal of increased coliform concentrations throughout the entire channel,
while results at the mouth of the Detroit Rj ver showed a 00r root V. ?.-;d of
increased coliform concentration (10,000-30,000 organisms ner 100 ml) .-.ear
the United States shore.
96-V
-------
During this special survey the Rouge River and Conners Creek were
monitored and geometric mean values of 10,500*000 organisms per 100 ml
observed at Conners Creek and 52,000 organisms per 100 ml at the Rouge.
An effort was made to determine the effect of the "bypassing on the
beaches of Lake Erie. Beaches from the mouth of the Detroit River to "below
the Raisin River were sampled. Although high coliform concentrations were
o'oserved at several of the beaches, the only beach which definitely showed
the effect of the bypass was Maple Beach, located near the mouth of the
Detroit River, while Dewey Beach possibly showed a slight effect of the
operation.
Figure 22-V depicts the area in fnc Detroit River affected by this
bypassing operation. Table 19-V summarizes pertinent results of the sampling
conducted during this survey.
*97-V
-------
TABLE 19-V. .SUMMARY OF AVERAGE RESULTS OF
CITY OF DETROIT RAW SEWAGE BYPASS
NOVEMBER 12-22, 1963
Range
DT 30.8W
DT 28.4w
DT 26.8W
DT 20.6
DT 17 AW
Typical
Typical
Coliform
Coliform
Total
Fccal
Value
Value
Coliform
CP Fecal
Streptococci
Before
After
Feet
Avg./lOO ml
Colifom
Avn./lOO ml
Byoass
Eynass
100'.
10
' 20
r
C.
20
20
300'
11
18
30
6
500'
15
7
>
20
14
1,000'
19
52
s
30
30
2,500'
10
29
' r
6
15 .
100'
25,000
4l
200
10
410,000
300'
2,800
48
27
20
59,000
TOO'
59
20
3
70
100
• 1,300'
61
28
2
30
330
52'
380,000
36
540
270
510,000
169'
340,000
38
" 46o
240
390,000
5'
79,000
40
360
110
180,000
50'
17,000
48
71
90
250,000
200'
57,000
33
330
50
140,000
400'
10,000
35
39
50
710,000
6oo*
1,100
35
58
23
5,100
TOO'
1*1*0
38
11
44
2,400
1,000'
60
37
6
12
370
1,500'*
200
57
4
360
300
1,800'*
1*70
4o
8
2,900
310
2,000'*
3,100
1*5
86
10,000
2,000
2,300"*
8,1+00
60
21
34,000
6,200
100'
12,000
35
30
i,rro
80,000
200'
13,000
63
23
100
41,000
400'
17,000
37
310
lJO
150,000
600'
9,400
4o
56
100
36,000
1,200'
1,000
37
13
20
1,300
1,600'
130
40
2
20
200
2,200'*
100
28
3
60
100
* Canadian Stations
• 98-V
-------
TABLE 19-V - Continued.
Range
DT 1h.(M
DT 8.7W
DT 3.9
Typical
Typical
Coliform
Coliform
Total
Fecal
Value
Value
Coliform
% Fecal
Strepcococci
Before
After
Feet
Avg./lOO ml
Coliform
Avg./lOO ml
Bypass
Bypass
20'
15,000
hi
66
700
27,000
100'
22,000
hO
120
900
17,000
200'
18,000
50
79
300
180,000
300'
' 17,000
73
120
500
63,000
hOO'
31,000
39
180
700
220,000
800'
15,000
h 3
iho
2,500
3h,000
1,000'
28,000
ho
190
900
33,000
2,000'
1,600
80
22
600
11,000
3,000'
2,700
hi
5
1,300
7,000
30'
6, 00
&
5
2,700
21,000
280'
9,100
3u
9
3,500
22,000
U80'
21,000
37
60
h,900
270,000
630'
lo,000
52
93
5, ho 0
320,000
930'
23,000
h2
66
5,500
290,000
1, 2h0'
17,000
36
120
h, 300
310,000
2,500'
27,000
35
10
23,000
57,000
3,500'
2li, 000
33
6
7,700
89,000
h,500'
19,000
27
230
2,500
210,000
5,500-
12,000
37
53
600
170,000
6,500-
22,000
33
190
2,200
99,000
7,500'
8,h00
55
55
1,500
67,000
9,500'
h,700
hi
39
hoo
35,000
11,500-*
2,600
h2
22
1,100
8,700
13,500'*
1,700
51
5h
600
7,600
15,000'*
1,000
ho
21.
h60
2,300
16,500'*
85'0
53
3h
2,300
1,800
17,500'*
2, £'00
56
30
8, hOO
1,100
18,500'*
5,700
50
160
9,900
12,000
19,000'*
8,200
ho
160
7,700
23,000
19,300'*
9,700
h9
160
9,900
2h,000
* Canadian Stations
99-V
-------
PAGE NOT
AVAILABLE
-------
Alternate Bypass of Treated Sewage
Minutes of several meetings of the Michigan Water Resources Commission
revealed that the City of Detroit had requested permission to shut down the
Detroit River outfall and "bypass treated effluent into the Rouge River. The
purpose of this shutdown was to allow inspection and renovation of the regular
outfall. Permission was granted by State agencies with the provision that
an experimental testing period be undertaken to determine any deleterious
effect this action might have upon the receiving waters and the users thereof.
The scheduled commencement date of this experimental period was July 27, 19^^.
After learning of this proposed action through the minutes of the
meeting, a brief surveillance of the action was planned by personnel of this
Project. On July 23 regular sampling operations revealed extremely high
total and fecal coliform concentrations in the Rouge River and in the lower
part of the Detroit River during dry weather. This was especially pronounced
at station DT 1h.G, where coliform concentrations of over 200,000 organisms
were.found at all stations and a count of 620,000 organises per 100 ml was
found near the Wyandotte water intake. A total coliform concentration of
3,700 organisms per 100 ml was found at the new City of Detroit water intake
near Fighting Island. Results in the Rouge River near its mouth exceeded 2
million total coliform organisms per 100 nil. Fecal coliform concentrations
were similarly high, exceeding 200,000 organisms in the Rouge and over 50,000
in the Detroit River, at station DT 1*1.6 near Wyandotte. Fecal streptococci
concentrations in the Rouge and Detroit Rivers were low on this date with si 1
but one result below 1,000 organisms per 100 ml. (The exception was 1,950
on the Rouge.)
-100-V
-------
The Michigan Water Resources Commission and through them the Michigan
Department of Health were notified on July 2k when the results were read in
the Project laboratory. The City of Wyandotte, a downstream user of water,
was also notified on this date. Investigation of the alternate "bypass on
the Rouge River revealed on July 23 and 26 that the discharge through this
outfall had already begun.
Project sampling continued over the weekend and similar results
obtained. Telephone calls were received from the Michigan Department of
Health and the Michigan Water Resources Commission with information that the
City of Detroit was notified of the Project's concern and had instigated
sampling over the weekend. The results of their sampling caused them to •
suspend bypassing operations Monday morning.
On Thursday, July 30, the waters were sampled, and coliform concentra-
tions dropped to normal dry weather levels. During the period of actual
partial bypass (July 19-27) two rains occurred - July 20 and July 25« The
first was very light, and any effect should have been dissipated within 2k
hours. The second could have affected water quality on July 25 and possibly
July 26 but certainly not on July 23 and 2*1, when the City of Detroit sampled.
Checking with the City of Wyandotte revealed consistently high coliform
concentrations during the period July 19-27, 196*+, with results exceeding
110,000 organises per 100 ml. The results at the intake during the 3 days
following the cancellation of the bypass indicated a sharp reduction to less "
than 1,000 organisms per 100 ml.
It is interesting to note that the highest individual colifoim value at
station DT 1*1.6 near Wyandotte (620,000 organisms per 100 ml) was recorded
during this bypass in a period of dry weather. Values at the station in the
101-V
-------
Detroit River immediately- above the Rouge River remained low during and after
this period except for samples collected on August 3> following a heavy rain.
Evaluation of this experience emphasizes the necessity for careful
study of the effects of bypassing on water quality and the desirability for
designing sewage treatment facilities to properly cope with this situation.
102-V
-------
Bottom Deposits - Detroit River
Analysis of bottom materials to determine the effects or extent of water
pollution is a field in which little has "been done to provide a "basis for
quantitative interpretation. "Standard Methods" gives only passing mention
of procedures to be recommended in the field and laboratory, and considerable
difficulty is involved in working with a solid-liquid mixture rather than a
liquid.
For these reasons, the analysis can be treated only in a general way,
serving to show a change in boctom composition of the Detroit River from
upstream to downstream and into Lake Erie.
Time is also a factor with bottom materials undisturbed underwater.
They may remain in much the same condition year after ye-jr even after the
original source has ceased to exist. Therefore, the bottom condition now
existing cannot be directly identified with existing effluents except by
circumstantial evidence. It can be definitely stated, however, that the
condition of the bottom was caused by the settling of waste materials, and
if suspended solids continue to enter the river they will settle in the
same areas as before and cause the same problems.
A sampling technique was developed to enable the boat crew to collect
the samples while drifting over the area. A special drag-type sampler was
used to scoon up the top 0.2 to 0.3 feet of material. The results are
qualitative for each site, and no attempt was made to determine thickness
of settled deposits.
103-V
-------
Analysis of Data
Only one sample was taken at each location, and the locations were widely
spaced to cover a variety of conditions in each area. By grouping the results
by area certain trends were noted, which will be described under each consti-
tuent .
The river and lake were divided into areas and evaluated according to
the bottom material quality shown by the various observations and chemical
- analysis within the area. Each area was then rated as good, fair, or poor,
according to the overall indications for that area.
Good condition - natural bottom conditions of sand, gravel, mud or
silt without oil, grease or odor, and does not have abnormally large
amounts of waste-associated materials.
Fair condition - natural bottom condition with some evidence of
deposited material, slight oil or odor, and moderate amounts of
waste-associated materials.
Poor condition - bottom deposits of organic or other material having
oily appearance and odor of oil or sewage. Large amounts of waste-
associated materials, such as greases, phenols, total nitrogen, phos-
phates, and iron, are found. High percentages of volatile materials
and a pH higher or lower than surrounding areas. Such areas show the
results of materials placed in the water by means other than natural
processes.
101;-V
-------
Suspended solids that have settled over the natural bottom will dis-
courage or eliminate the activities of fishes and other aquatic life. In the
shallow water, they are offensive to swimmers and boaters, and when fluctua-
ting water levels expose beds of these materials, the resulting appearance
and odors destroy the esthetic value of the waterways. Since most of the
bottom material in the poor condition areas is light and easily disturbed,
there is a potential problem from this material being resuspended in the water
in stormy weather, or from passage of large boats.
The resuspended bottom materials in the poor condition areas could cause
increase in turbidity, increased oxygen demand, algae growth, and taste and
odor problems, which would decrease the quality of the water for riverside
or lakeside recreation, fishing, swimming, water skiing, and industrial and
municipal water supplies. The increase in turbidity has been observed to
occur during stormy weather on Lake Eric and in the shallow areas of the
Detroit River.
Figure 23-V depicts the location of the deposits with classification'of
the Detroit River according to the type material deposited on the bottom.
Tables 20-V through 25-V summarize the results of the bottom deposit
investigations for the Rouge River and separate areas of the Detroit River.
In addition to the results shown in these tables, analysis of the bottom
deposit supernatant was made for phenol, phosphate, nitrate and ammonia
concentrations. All factors, including field observations, were taken into
consideration in describing bottom conditions. Canadian waters were
surveyed to determine if dispersal patterns of bottom deposits were similar
to those of chemical and bacteriological results in surface wafers.
10£-v
-------
PAGE NOT
AVAILABLE
DIGITALLY
-------
From the head of the Detroit River to mile point 25 at the south end
of Belle Isle, the bottom was in good condition on the Canadian side and
fair to good on the American. One sampling point rated poor was just below
Conners Creek.
From Belle Isle to the Rouge River conditions on both sides of the
Detroit River were fair with better bottom' in midriver. An area rated poor
began just above Zug Island and extended southward along the United States
shore.
All stations sampled on the Rouge River indicated poor condition;
Below the Rouge River to mile point 15 at the head of Grosse lie, all
points along the United States shore were poor. Those in faster moving water
were somewhat better.
.From mile point 15 to the Grosse lie County Bridge} the bottom condition
of the Trenton Channel (west of Grosse lie) was poor. East of Grosse lie, the
bottom condition in United States waters was fair, and generally fair to good
in Canadian waters.
From the County Bridge to the mouth of the Detroit River, the bottom
condition was poor in the Trenton Channel and below Grosse lie poor along the
United States shore. The waters were generally fair on the easx side Of
Grosse lie.
Organic material in a state of decomposition, having a dor',: color, oil
or sewage odor, and oily appearance, was found in isolated places in the
.Detroit River above Zug Island. These occurrences could bo attributed to
storm water o/erflows or other organic dc-oosits.
Around Zug Island and the Rouge River, bottom material vgs in very poor
condition, and this situation prevailed along the United States shore to
106-7
-------
Ecorse and throughout the Trenton Channel to Lake Erie. Bottom materials on
the Canadian side of the river and east side of Grosse lie were in fair to
good condition.
Samples taken of the mud-vater interface in the turning "basin at the
Ford Motor Company plant and in the Ford slip revealed high concentrations
(500 mg/l) of both oil and iron.
107-V
-------
TABLE 20-V. SUMMARY OF BOTTOM MATERIALS - DETROIT RIVER
MILE 30.8 TO MILE 25
PH
AM
CAN
No. of
Samples
13
5
Max.
7.7
8.0
Min.
Med.
Mean
7.1
7.2
7.1*
7.3
7.1*
7.1*
Remarks
% IRON
AM
CAN
13
5
6.89
1*.13
0.01
0.007
1.26
1.02
1.52
1.32
Low values..
% OIL AND GREASE
AM 13
CAN $
2.10 0.003 0.02 0.28
O.U* 0.01 0.09 0.15
Generally
good except
ore high val-
ue from tip
of Belle Isle.
% TOTAL VOLATILE
SOLIDS
AM
CAN
11
3
12.2
12.6
1.6
1* .6
7.1
9.0
6.6
8.7
High values
found at
Peach Island
Light and
below Conners;
all others
low.
CONCLUSION: Bottom conditions generally good except for areas downstream
from Conners and the sewage treatment plant on Belle Isle.
.108-V
-------
TABLE 21-V. SUMMARY OF BOTTOM MATERIALS - DETROIT RIVER
MILE 25 TO MILE 19.5
pH
AM
CAN
No. of
Samples
10
k
Max.
Min.
Med.
Mean
Remarks
10.1 just
downstream
10.1 7.U 7.7 8.0 from Allied
7.8 7.1* 7.6 7.6 Chemical at
Zug Island.
% IRON
AM
CAN
7
U
11.01
U.13
0.01
0.02
Low values
except for one
0.56 2.35 1156 value at
0.28 1.17 Zug Island.
% OIL AND GREASE
AM
CAN
10
U
0.60
0.50
0.00
0.02
O.lii
0.18
0.17
0.22
Low to medium
values.
% TOTAL VOLATILE
SOLIDS
AM
CAN
8
h
17.0
20.2
8.2
8.U
8.2
10.3
10.2
12.8
Both high and
low values
found on both
sides of river.
CONCLUSION: Bottom conditions generally good except for the Zug Island area
particularly below Allied Chemical outfall.
109-V
-------
TABLE 22-V. SUMMARY OF BOTTOM MATERIALS - ROUGE RIVER
No. of
Samples Max. Min. Med. Mean Remarks
pH 6 7.3 6.8 7.0 7.0 7.0
% IRON U 8.60 1.72 2.7h 3.95 Fairly high
% OIL AND GREASE 6 h.20 1.00 1.75 2.18 Very high
% TOTAL VOLATILE
SOLIDS 6 25.6 11.1 20.9 19.9 Very high
CONCLUSIONt Bottom condition in the Rouge River is very poor.
110-V
-------
TABLE 23-V. SUMMARY OF BOTTOM MATERIALS - DETROIT RIVER
• MILE 19.5 TO MILE 15
pH
AM
CAN
No. of
Samples
13
5
Max.
Min.
Med.
Mean
Remarks
8.1 7.2 8.0 7.8 8.0 American-
7.8 7.1 7.5 7.5 7.5 Canadian.
% IRON
AM
CAN
9
3
Variable, but
generally high
11.U5 0.05 1.13 3.62 on American
2.06 0.01 0.01* 0.70 side and low-
er on Canadi-
an side.
% OIL AND GREASE
AM 13
CAN 5
3.20
0.32
.02
0.006
0.37
0.07
0.77
0.11
High down-
stream from
Rouge on
American side.
% TOTAL VOLATILE
SOLIDS
AM
CAN
11
k
17.3
m.o
9.9
8.0
13.0
9.5
13.5
10.3
CONCLUSION: Bottom condition is poor on the American side and fair on
Canadian side.
111-V
-------
TABLE 2li-7o SUMMARY OF BOTTOM MATERIALS - DETROIT RIVER
MILE 15 TO MILE 8.7
No. of
Samples
pH
Trenton Channel 25
East of Grosse lie 11
Max.
Min.
Med.
Mean
Remarks
9.0 down-
stream from
11.2 7.0 7.7 7.8 Wyandotte
8.0 7.2 7.6 7.6 Chemical and
11.2 down-
stream from
Firestone
Steel Products.
% IRON
Trenton Channel 22
East of Grosse lie 11
High'in
Trenton Chan-
30.96 0.01 3.13 5.68 nel; low on
8.9U 0.01 1.38 2.96 east side of
Grosse lie.
% OIL AND GREASE
Trenton Channel 25
East of Grosse lie 11
High in Tren-
ton Channel
2.11 ¦ O.Oli 0.15 O.lil and below
0.38 0.03 0.09 0.11 Firestone and
Wye Street
sewer; low on
Canadian side.
% TOTAL VOLATILE
SOLIDS
Trenton Channel 25
East of Grosse lie 11
38.0
12.9
3.1
1.1
6.1
li.O
8.2
h.9
High values
in Trenton
Channel; low
on East side
of Grosse lie,
COKCUJSION: Poor bottom conditions prevail in Trenton Channel. Fair to good
in waters east of Grosse lie.
112-V
-------
TABLE 25-V. SUMMARY OF BOTTOM MATERIALS - DETROIT RIVER
MILE 8.7 TO LAKE ERIE
No. of
Samples
PH
Trenton Channel
East of Qrosse lie
13
11
Max.
7.9
9.8
Min.
Med. Mean
Remarks
7.3
7.2
7.6
7.U
7.6
7.8
7.5 on American side,
High values on
Canadian side.
% IRON
Trenton Channel
East of Grosse lie
12
10
9.63
h.82
O.OOh
0.005
2.83
1.72
3.26
1.75
High Trenton Channel;
low on east side of
Grosse lie.
% OIL AND GREASE
Trenton Channel
East of Grosse lie
13
10
2.U5
0.6U
0.06
0.02
0.39
0.21
0.53
0.26
Higher values in
Trenton Channel.
% TOTAL VOLATILE
SOLIDS
Trenton Channel
East of Grosse lie
12
11
17.3
12.9
2.1
l.h
7.8
5.1
8.0
5.8
High in Trenton Chan--
nel; low on east side
of Grosse lie.
CONCLUSIONS: Bottom condition is poor in the Trenton Channel as far south as
Pointe Mouillee, Bottom conditions east of Grosse lie vary from
fair to good.
113-V
-------
Hydrologic Studies - Detroit River
Several investigations of hydraulic and hydrologic characteristics were
made on the Detroit River to provide insight into the relationship between
sources of wastes and areas affected by pollution. Flow distribution in the
Detroit River was determined at several locations and routes of wastes traced
from their source to downstream areas of water use. Dispersion patterns of
domestic and industrial waste effluents were determined and plotted.
Flow Distribution - Detroit River
In Figures 2U-V and 25-V flow distribution across the upper and lower
Detroit River is shown. These figures depict streamlines or distribution
of per cent of flow across the Detroit River at varying ranges. The numbers
shown adjacent to the streamlines represent the per cent flow west.of the
particular line. The per cent flow in United States waters varied from
approximately 70 per cent at the head and opposite Fighting Island to less,
than UO per cent at several locations, including the mouth. Velocities varied
in the main part of the river between one and four feet per second, causing
turbulent flow, resulting in the creation of a homogeneous mass of water in
a vertical plane due to mixing. Horizontal mixing was much less pronounced
due to large masses of water moving downstream at high velocities.
Dye Tracer Studies
Rhodamine-B fluorescent dye was placed in the effluent of five domestic
sewage treatment plants and traced downstream. Floats were placed in the
river to assist in tracing the dye, which soon became invisible and had to be
located with a fluorometer. Figures 26-V and 27-V depict the results of
llli-V
-------
PAGE NOT
AVAILABLE
DIGITALLY
-------
PAGE NOT
AVAILABLE
DIGITALLY
-------
PAGE NOT
AVAILABLE
DIGITALLY
-------
PAGE NOT
<
n
AVAILABLE
DIGITALLY
-------
these surveys in the upper and lower Detroit River by plotting the extent
of dye as a shaded area and the major concentration of the dye as a solid
heavy line with direction arrows. No attempt was made to draw any conclu-
sions regarding the expected concentration of wastes from the observed con-
centration of dye at any point. In addition to placing dye in sewage plant
effluents, several tracer runs were made after release of dye in several
areas of the Detroit River from its head to its mouth.
One tracer study was made at the Belle Isle sewage treatment plant,
and the results (Figure 2o-V) showed that the dye stayed in the main channel
of the river, dispensing gradually to a 1,000-foot width at the Ambassador
Bridge. The main path of this dye passed through one of the regular samp-
ling points at Range Dt 20.6, TOO feet from the United States shore. This
is a logical explanation for the sudden peak in coliforin concentrations noted
at this location in earlier discussions. (See Figure 1-V ana Figure 15-V. )
This same bacterial load was missed at the sampling station immediately below
the outfall due to the narrow band of pollution travelling between two regular
sampling stations.
Three tracer studies were made at the main sewage treatment plant of the
City of Detroit, and the path shown in Figure 26-V is the consensus of the
three studies. The three studies did show approximately the same results
under different conditions of wind, but during dry weather. The dye shil^ed
gradually to midchannel and travelled to the west edge of the Fighting Island
Channel but was most concentrated near the United States shore. The dye
appeared to miss the new southwest water intake of the City of Detroit, but a
heavy concentration of the dye passed over the City of Wyandotte water intake.
Farther downstream the dye was traced to the east as well as the west side
115-v
-------
of Grosse lie at Point Hennepin, although the main concentration of the dye
was observed in the Trenton Channel. In general the dye was found almost
exclusively in American waters and was most concentrated approximately 700
feet from the United States shore.
Tracer studies were made at the Wayne County Sewage Treatment Plants at
Wyandotte and Trenton. The dye was traced down the Trenton Channel and between
Horse Island and Celeron Island at the lower end of the channel. The dye was
most intense near the mainland shore. In both studies dye was found in
marinas along the shore.
Using the results of the flow distribution, tracer studies from domestic
waste plants, and special dye studies at various locations in the Detroit
River, Figure 28-V was constructed to show the expected routing or dispersion
of industrial or domestic waste discharged into the river at different
geographic zones. Use of this figure can be illustrated by the following
example:
The wastes from the industries in zone 1 are expected to be dispersed
in the river to the west of the zone line beginning at the upper end
of zone 1. Opposite the Ecorse River, wastes from zone 1 are dispersed
throughout the entire United States section of the river, while wastes
from zone 1* hug a narrow band near the United States shore.
Using Figures 28-V, 2k-V, and 25-V, it is possible to predict the down-
stream areas where wastes from specific sources are felt and also possible
to predict areas where water quality improvement would result after improved
waste treatment at specific sources.
116-V
-------
PAGE NOT
AVAILABLE
DIGITALLY
-------
Table 26-V shovs the percentage of the Detroit River affected "by the
discharge of industrial and domestic wastes from the Michigan mainland.
The zone numbers correspond to those shown in Figure 26-V.
The outflow of the Rouge River was traced into the Detroit River ana.
dOT/nstream a short distance. The Rouge River and effluent from the submerged
outfall of the Detroit Se^.ge Treatment Plant are clearly identifiable "by
color as tiro distinct v;ater masses at their junction near the mouth of the
Rouge River. Hoi,'ever, these ti/o T'/ater masses become intermittent due 'to
turbulence and diffusion c.n.d for all practical purposes act as a single vater
mass passing doimstrcar.. Dye releases from the Detroit r,c:7c.ge Treatment
Plant outfall verc therefore v.sed to trace the doi/nstrear.i movement of this
combined flov. These flo^ measurement:; vere performed during dry ueather and
represent normal or even belo:- normal uischarge from the Rouge River. It
is conceivable and even prob./b] e that follOT.*i;is a heavy rainfall *rith sub-
sequent overflows from combined severs on the Rouge River that its increased
discharge Troulc have a more pronounced effect on the dispersion of the combined
•water masses toi/ards Canadian :
-------
TABLE 26-V. INDUSTRIAL AND MUNICIPAL WASTE DISPERSION - PERCENTAGE OF DETROIT RIVER
Cross-Sectional
Location
1
2
Waste
3
Source -
h
Zones
5
6
7
8
Ambassador Bridge
25
Dt 19.0 (Rouge R.)
50
30
Dt 17.UW
70
50
hO
10
Dt H4.6W
70
60
50
20
5
Dt 12. OW
70
70
60
23
20
5
Dt 8.7W
80
80
70
23
23
15
7
Dt 3.9
100
100
80
25
25
20
15
10
Note: Percentage flow values are computed from the west (American) shore
-------
Stream Loadings - Detroit River
When concentrations of waste constituents in the Detroit River are
compared with corresponding discharge values for each section of the river
sampled, quantitative loadings may be computed. These are usually reported
in units such as pounds, gallons, or numbers. An average^ concentration of
a waste constituent weighted to discharge may also be computed. This pro-
cedure allows the presentation of one value at each range or cross-section
representative of existing concentrations and amounts of waste present.
Stream loadings are useful in presenting a concise picture of what is
happening in the river from the headwaters to the mouth. They may also be
used in comparison with loadings from domestic and industrial wastie effluents.
A special problem is involved when numbers of coliform organisms are
presented. Their values are so high that they are awkward to work with
and comprehend. To allow a better understanding of these values, the
bacterial population equivalent (BPE) has been employed. This is merely a
value stated by several investigators equivalent to the daily bacterial
contribution from one human being in raw sewage. The value used for one BPE.
is 200 billion coliform bacteria per day per capita. Use of the BPE should
give the reader of this report a better understanding of the magnitude of
increases and decreases in numbers of coliform organisms in the Detroit River
and assist in the evaluation of the effect of waste sources upon these
numbers.
Tables 27-V through 38-V show stream loadings for phenols, chlorides, and
total coliform organisms at several ranges in the Detroit River during the
1962 and 1963 sampling seasons. The total loadings for the United States
119-V
-------
and entire river are shown as well as percent flow at each section sampled.
Table 39-V shows the increase in stream loadings for these same waste con-
stituents by listing the values in the upper and lower section of the
Detroit River. In this particular table the loadings in the upper river
were adjusted to the same volume of the river found in United States waters
at the mouth of the Detroit River. This gives a more valid indication of
increase in loadings due to waste discharge, since almost all wastes discharged
into the Detroit and Rouge Rivers remain in United States waters. Table itO-V
compares the increase in waste loadings in the Detroit River with loadings
found in the domestic and industrial waste surveys.
Figures 29-V through 37-V depict stream loadings at several key locations
in the Detroit River for total coliforin organisms, phenols, chlorides,
phosphates, total nitrogen, ammonia, suspended solids, iron, and nitrates
respectively. Figures 38-V through I46-V depict average concentrations for
these same constituents weighted to flow for the entire range. Table Ul-V
is included to show bacterial loadings and weighted average total coliform
concentrations during wet and dry conditions.
—_ *
The graphs are actually self-explanatory, but a few comments may be in
order. There was q noticeable increase in weighted average concentration in
the Detroit River coliform concentrations, from ko to 7,250
organisms per 100 ml. Chlorides increased from S to 23 mg/l and phenols showed
great variability from 3-8 JJg/l "to 10. 5 pc/1 just below the Rouge to
at the mouth. The increase in essential plant nutrients was noticeable
as the loadings of total nitrogen or
120-V
-------
phosphate double "between the headwaters and the mouth. Iron showed a
significant increase in both weighted average concentrations and loadings.
A reasonable portion of the increase in stream loadings is accounted
for in the loadings computed from domestic and -industrial waste surveys.
Summaries of Detroit River tributary stream loadings and weighted
average concentrations for nitrogen compounds, phosphates, total coliform
organisms, phenols, and chlorides are shown in Table 4'2-V. The tributaries
covered in this summary are the Rouge River, Ecorse River, and Monguagon
Creek.
Study of the tributary results revealed the Rouge River as a major
contribution of coliform organisms, phenols, and chlorides. Further study
of the records reveaM a dramatic bacterial improvement in the Rouge in
1963 with a k2 per cent reduction in coliform loadings. Phenol loadings, on
the other hand, increased 5^ per cent, and chlorides stayed constant. Ecorse
River was revealed as a small contributor of highly concentrated bacterial
waste, while Monguagon Creek was a major contributor of phenolic wastes with
102 pounds per day.
The Rouge River was revealed as a significant source of phosphates,
ammonia, nitrates, and organic nitrogen.
The variable phenol values found at the head of the Detroit River posed
an investigative problem. Records of the Detroit Field Unit of the International
Joint Commission were studied, and it was found that the weighted average
concentration in the St. Clair River was 9 ^-g/l> and loading was 8,700 pounds
per day. Known sources of phenolic waste are located in the upper part of
the St. Clair River at Sarnia, Ontario and are believed to be the major
source of this waste constituent.
121 -V
-------
TABLE 27-V. STREAM LOADING FOR DETROIT RIVER
DT 30.8W
1962
Phenols
Chloride
Coliform
Feet*
# Flow
Id./day
lb./day
BPE
20
• 33
7
20,000
12
100
1.57
32
90,000
50
200
3-39
52
202,000
120
300
3-58
k2
206,000
110
ilOO
3.92
90
202,000
71+
500
6.hi
150
330,000
110
700
12.86
*: 00
690,000
180
1,000
3^.76
570
1,73^,000
380
2,000
2k.96
290
1,1*146,000
21+0
2,500
3.16
67
loC,000
2b
U.S. Water
9b. 9b
1,700
5,100,000
1,300
Entire River
100
1,300
5,Uoo,ooo
1,300
Weighted Average. -
U.S. Water
2.kjorJi
7 me/1
80
org/lOOnl
Weighted Average -
2Aai»/i
org/lOOral
Entire River
7 kig/1
79
1963
100
3-59
55
110,000
30
300
6.2b
370
38^,000
85
500
lb. 80
bio
55b,000
50
1,000
51-19
1,690
2,990,000
65
2,500
2b. 16
1,325
2,222,000
bo
U.S. Water
91+. 9k
3,050
6,260,000
270
Entire River
100
11,050
6,660,000
271
Weighted Average -
U.S. Water
6.0 pg/i
10 mg/l
18
org/lOOml
Weighted Average -
Entire River
6.0 /Ug/l
10 mg/l
15
org/lOQml
* Location of sampling station in feet from west shore
122-V
-------
TABLE 28-V. STREAM LOADING FOR DETROIT RIVER
DT 28.4 W
1962
Phenols
Chloride
Coliform
Feet*
dfi Flow
lb./day
lb./day
EPE
100
T-4l
4o
200,000
650
200
5.52
15
136,000
131
300
5.82
25
134,000
133
1+00
12.21
TO
284,000
210
TOO
20.26
45
500,000
300
1,000
16.48
55
3T0,000
1T4
1,300
13.08
30
290,000
82
1,500
19.22
TO
416,000
220
U.S. Water
100
350
2,340,000
1,900
Entire River
100
350
2,340,000
1,900
Weighted Average -
1-2 JUs/l
8 mc/l
U.S. Water
320 org/lOCml
Weighted Average -
1.2 ^g/l
8 mc/l
Entire River
320 org/100ml
1963
100
10. IT
50
154,000
12T
300
11.92
210
498,000
13 3
TOO
3^-60
350
4oS,coo
42
1,300
43.31
T4o
980,000
¦ T8
U.S. Water
100
1,350
2,040,000
38O
Entire River
100
1,350
2,040,000
380
Weighted Average -
U.S. Water
4.6 ps/i
T ng/l
TO org/lOOml
Weighted Average -
Entire River
4.6 yug/l
7 rag/1
TO org/lOOml
* Location of sampling station in feet from west shore
123-V
-------
TABLE 29-V. STREAM LOADING FOR DETROIT RIVER
DT 25-7
1962
Phenols
Chloride
Feet*
$ Flow
lb./day
lb./day
50
.56
15
46,000
100
2.37
l4o
194,000
300
5.19
50
.372,000
600
9.06
120
660,000
1,000
17.32
155
1,294,000
2,000
18.04
220
1,294,000
U.S. Water
52.54
700
3,860,000
Entire River
100
1,300
7,540,000
Weighted Average -
1.4 ^jug/l
U.S. Water
7 mg/l
Weighted Average -
Entire River
1-3 /is/1
S rng/l
Coliform
EPE
340
74 0
570
MO
1+70
340
2,900
9,200
170 org/lOOml
390 org/lOOml
1963
50
100
300
600
2,000
U.S. Water
Entire River
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Average
Entire River
.56
2.37
5-19
0.06
37.36
54-54
100
18
112
2U7
791
2,2o2
3,^50
6,250
7-2 /Ug/l
6.7 yg/l
38,000
152,000
352,000
564,000
2,57^,000
3,680,000
7,660,000
250
530
560
190
170
1,700
36,700
8 mg/l 150 org/lOOml
8 mg/l 1,7^0 org/lOOml
* Location of sampling station in feet from vest shore
12U-V
-------
TABLE 30-V.
STREAM
LOADING FOR DETROIT RIVER
DT 20.6
1962
Phenols
Chloride
Coliform
Feet*
$ Flo*/
lb./day
lb./day
EPE
5
.08
1
8,000
1+0
20
.21
h
18,000
220
50
• 71
15
60,000
530
100
¦ 1.9^
55
ll+6,000
1,870
200
3-57
85
28k,000
3>210
300
1+.1+7
85
360,000
1,750
1+00
5.08
120
h 1+0,000
1,610
500
5.23
155
1+50,000
520
600
5.62
li+o
1+80,000
550
700
11. 2k
220
8 9*+, 000
910
1,000
11.68
270
1,000,000
790
U.S. Water
50.08
1,150
U,1^0,000
12,000
Entire River
100
1,850
8,1+80,000
82,000
Weighted Average -
2.7 yz/l
8 mg/l
org/lOQml
U.S. Water
1,000
Weighted Average -
8 mg/l
org/lOOml
Entire River
1-8 yug/l
3,600
1963
5
.18
6
6,000
13
50
1-79
783
5o,00C
130
200
6.77
In 9
330,000
1,01+0
1+00
10.00
1,629
91+8,000
3,800
600
8.31
750
350,000
707
700
11.29
793
788,000
1,1+1+0
1,000
11. Y1!
1,070
820,000
1,370
U.S. Water
50.08
5,^50
3,300,000
8,500
Entire River
100
10,100
6,1+1+0,000
30,900
Weighted Average -
U.S. Water
11.6 ucJl
7 mc/l
730
org/lOQml
Weighted Average -
i
Entire River
10.8 yus/1
8 mg/l
1,1+60
org/lOOml
* Location of sampling station in feet from vest shore
125-V
-------
TABLE 31-V. STREAM LOADING FOR DETROIT RIVER
DT 19.0
1963
Phenols
Chloride
Coliforra
Feet*
$ Flow
lb./day
lb. / day
EPE
100
1.7^
U52
56U,000
3,100
200 '
2.72
50k
77b,000
9,600
300
1+.03
600
1,186,000
12,800
it 00
12.33
2,030
3,076,000
35,600
800
15.^3
3^0
2,150,000
3,570
1,000
15.06
1,12*+
1,190,000
2,330
U.S. Water
51.31
5,050
8,9^0,000
67,000
Entire River
100
6,3G0
12,780,000
81,500
Weighted. Average -
U.S. Water 10.5 ug/l 19 ng/l 5>700 org/lOGml
Weighted Average -
Entire River 7-2 pg/l I** rag/l 3,870 org/lOOnl
* Location of sampling station in feet from west shore
V
126-V
-------
TABLE 32-V. STREAM LOADING FOR DETROIT RIVER
DT 17-4 W
1962
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Average
Entire River
Phenols
Chloride
Coliform
Feet*
$ Flow
l"b. / day
lb./day
BPE
100
1.21
67
212,000
2,200
200
4.4l
2^3
710,000
10,600
1*00
• 10-74
590
1,1»50,000
18,700
600
11.87
555
1,320,000
19,000
800
10.85
750
1,270,000
16,400
1,000
10.86
390
1,202,000
13,900
1,200
IO.98
250
1,004,000
8,000
1,400
IO.98
265
950,000
6,800
1,600
1U.38
390
1,222,000
4,4oo
U.S. Water
86.28
3,500
9,340,000
100,000
Entire River
100
3,oOO
10,340,000
110,000
5-2 uc/l
4.8 yc/l
l4 nig/l 6,600 org/lOQtal
13 rag/1 5,900 org/lOCtal
1963
100
200
400 •
800
1,200
1,600
U.S. Water
Entire River
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Average
Entire River
1.21
4.4l
16.67
28.22
22. kO
13-37
86.28
100
148
442
o95
1,545
520
200
3,730
3,920
5.9 prji
5-3 pcJi
226,000
792,000
1,670,000
4,190,000
1,656,000
886,000
9,420,000
10,260,000
650
3,660
7,600
14,200
3,500
1,390
31,000
32,100
15 ms/l 2,100 org/lOOml
14 ag/l 1,920 org/lOOml
* Location of sampling station in feet from west shore
12 7-V
-------
TABLE 33-V. STREAM LOADING FOR DETROIT RIVER
DT 14.6W
1962
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Average
Entire.River
Fnenols
Chloride
Coliform
Feet*
¦% Flow
lb./day
lb./day
BPE
20
• 35
15
190,000
80
100
1-55
80
450,000
4,350
200
2.66
103
470,000
7,150
300
2.93
340
546,000
3,950
4oo
4.74
201
530,000
9,750
600
6-93
283
690,000
14,100
800
5.5S
140
550,000
9,520
900
3.62
121
326,000
5,300
1,000
3.62
79
328,000
5,800
1,100
12.18
231
1,350,000
17,300
2,000
2.20
11
120,000
1,900
2,300
34.98
20
110,000
1,450
3,000
13.76
518
4,600,000
36,700
U.S. Water
95-10
2,150
10,260,000
117,850
Entire River
100
2,300
11,560,000
130,000
2.8 pg/l
2.3 ug/l
14 nig/l 6,88l org/lOCcil
15 ras/l 7,000 org/lOQml
1963
20
100
200
300
1*00
800
1,000
2,000
3,000
U.S. Water
Entire River
• 35
1.55
2.66
2.93
8.7 0
11.16
11.52
20.28
27-95
95.10
100
22
n
yu
155
13 o
241
kjo
613
ho
673
2,^50
2,510
150,000
402,000
bO'J , 000
69k ,000
734,000
1,350,000
2,464,000
252,000
4,126,000
10,940,000
11,360,000
' 770
5,400
3,800
4,100
5,880
10,000
7,200
350
8,000
45,500
45,600
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Average
Entire River
3-5 ps/1
3-4 pg/l
16 rng/l 2,800 org/lOOnl
15 Eg/l 2,720 org/lOOail
* Location of sampling station in feet from west shore
128-V
-------
TABLE 34-V. STREAM LOADING FOR DETROIT RIVER
DT 12. OW
1962
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Average
Entire River
Phenols
Chloride
Coliform
Feet*
°jo Flow
lb./day
lb./day
BPE
122
15.36
200
2,252,000
3,000
322
24.24
255
2,048,000
14,500
490
19-76.
240
1,086,000
3,200
670
20.77
205
926,000
26,600
880
19-87
200
868,000
25,700
U.S. Water
100
1,100
7,180,000
73,000
Entire River
100
1,100
7,180,000
73,000
.8 ug/l
4.6 ug/l
31 mg/l 14,000 org/lOOml
31 mg/l 14,000 org/lOO ml
1963
122
322
670
U.S. Water
Entire River
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Average
Entire River
15.36
2h.2h
6 0.40
100
100
4i>3
375
1,242
2, b U'J
2,600
12.9 wj 1
12.Q }Jg/l
1,730,000
1,870,000
2,840,000
6,440,000
6,440,000
2,200
3,300
10,500
16,000
16,000
31 mg/l 3,500 org/lOCtal
31 rag/l 3,500 org/lOOml
* Location of sampling station in feet from vest shore
129-V
-------
TABLE 35-V. STREAM LOADING FOR DETROIT RIVER
DT 9.6W
1963
Feet*
100
300
500
900
U.S. Water
Entire River
Weighted Average
U.S. Water*
Weighted Average
Entire River
$ Flow
5-32
lit. 18
17.72
62.78
100
100
Phenols
lb./day
63
168
105
1 f06k
l,hoo
1,400
6.6 105/1
6.6 ys/l
Chloride
lb./day
740,000
1,500,000
1,278,000
3,082,000
6,600,000
6,600,000
Coliform
BPE
8^0
3,700
5,100
11,360
21,000
21,000
30 mg/l 4,300 org/lOOml
30 me/l 4,300 org/lOOml
* Location of sampling station in feet from vest shore
130-V
-------
TABLE 36-V. STREAM LOADING FOR DETROIT RIVER
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted. Average
Entire River
DT 9-3W
1962
Phenols
Chloride
Coliform
Feet*
$ Flow
lb./day
lb./day
EPE
100
.01
1
0
17
200
.01
1
0
13
500
.01
2
30,000
200
800
• 32
10
28,000
600
1,200
.85
15
84,000
1,550
1,500
l.lh
10
96,000
2,300
2,000
1.90
130
16h,000
3,650
2,500
3-79
^5
330,000
6,970
3,000
3-67
21
3lO,000
5,160
3,300
5-52
25
27'0,000
5,^0
3,600
5-39
ho
5*' 0,000
7,100
U.S. Water
22.81
300
l,(i6vJ,0G0
33,000
Entire River
100
oOO
8,180,000
150,000
1.7 ps/l
1.3 ^s/l
11 rng/l 3,000 org/lOOml
11 mg/l 0,200 org/lOOml
1963
100
500
1,200
2,000
3,000
U.S. Water
Entire River
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Average
Entire River
.01
.18
1.50
3-36
17-63
22.81
100
1
12
^3
06
25o
1+00
1,270
2.5 ug/l
2.6 Jjg/l
40,000
lC4,000
1+65,000
1,210,000
1,900,000
9,000,000
120
5U0
1,270
3,070
5,000
3^,000
11 r/sg/l 1,U00 org/lOOml
13 rag/l 2,100 org/lOOml
* Location of sampling station in feet frora west shore
131-V
-------
TABLE 37-V. STREAM LOADING FOR DETROIT RIVER
Feet*
80
280
1*80
680
S80
1,240
U.S. Water
Entire River
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Average
Entire River
jo Flow
5-35
12.71
15-69
21-91
32.89
11.1*5
100
100
DT 8.7W
1962
Phenols
lb./day
225
220
U80
250
500
125
1,800
1,800
7-9^/1
7-9-us/1
Chloride
lb./day
744,000
1,208,000
1,086,000
1,048,000
1,040,000
4l4,COO
5,540,000
5,51+0,000
Colifonn
BP5
1,400
5,700
12,300
19,200
24,100
5,300
68,000
68,000
24 mg/l 13,000 org/lOOml
24 mg/l 13,000 org/lOOml
1963
80
280
480
680
980
1,240
U.S. Water
Entire River
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Average
Entire River
4.49
11.75
15-93
23-04
28.54
16.25
100
100
382
477
U15
500
573
253
2,600
'<¦ , uOO
12.7^5/1
12.7 Alg/l
716,000
1,320,000
1,336,000
2,280,000
1,456,000
752,000
7,860,000
7,860,000
750
500
1,300
7,300
8,300
850
19,000
19,000
38 reg/l 4,100 org/lOCtol
33 mg/1 4,100 org/lOOml
* Location of sampling station in feet fron west shore
132-V
-------
TABLE 38-V. STREAM LOADING K>R DETROIT RIVE
P'eet*
1,500
2,500
3,500
4,500
5,500
6,500
7,500
8,500
9,500
10,500
11,500
U.S. Water
Entire River
Weighted Average
U.S. Water
Weighted Average
Entire River
DT 3-9
1962
3-7 mq/1
• Phenols
Chloride
Coliforra
Flow
lb./day
lb./day
EPE
2.40
155
1,710,000
5,260
¦ 3.38
300
2,290,000
9,200
3-13
210
1,444,000
10,700
3.76
2*1-0
1,180,000
30,300
4.33
155
920,000
32,700
3.38
180
522,000
18,400
4.70
208
660,000
28,600
5-71
207
700,000
16,200
5.08
130
604,000
1,550
3-53
60
390,000
3V200
4.62
155
480,000
3,890
44.02
2,000
10,900,000
160,000
100
3,800
18,560,000
250,000
24 mg/l 14,000 org/lOCcil
18 ng/1 11,000 org/lOOml
196:
2,500
5.78
;>2o
2,468,000
8,250
3,500
3.13
210
l,l48,OCO
3,110
4,500
3.76
202
850,000
3,450
5,500
4-33
200
796,000
3,480
6,500
3o<->
135
710,000
2,370
7,500
7.55
13U
730,000
1,720
9,500
8.70
503
1,266,000
2,200
11,500
7-39
320
972,000
1,420
U.S. Water
44.02
2,230
8,940,000
26,000
Entire River
100
3,550
16,600,000
50,000
Weighted Average -
5.5 JUg/1
22 rag/1
2,700 org/lOOnl
U.S. Water
Weighted Average -
2,320 org/lOQrnl
Entire River
3-8 vUg/l
18 mg/l
* Location of sampling
station in
feet from west
shore
133-V
-------
TABLE 39-V.
SUMMARY OF CHANGE IN WASTE LOADINGS
BETVffiEN UPPER AND LOVJER DETROIT RIVER
U.S. WATERS ONLY
Upper
Detroit River
Total Coliform
Organisms
BPE/day
Chlorides
lb s/day
Phenols
lbs/day
Suspended Solids
lbs/day
Settleable Solids
lbs/day
Iron
lb s/day
Total Phosphate
lbs/day
Ammonia Nitrogen
lbs/day
Nitrate Nitrogen
lbs/day
Organic Nitrogen
lbs/day
700
5,560,000
2,500
3,900,000
3,200,000
106,000
llU,000
73,700
112,000
91,200
Upper *
Detroit River
Adjusted
Lower
Detroit River Difference**
kko
1,600
2,100,000
67,000
72,000
1*6,700
70,900
57,800
77,000 76,560
3,520,000 10,080,000 6,560,000
2,100
500
2,500,000 8,600,000 6,100,000
7,200,000 5,100,000
260,000 193,000
217,600 145,600
133,200 86,500
109,000 38,100
72,600 114,800
* Upper Detroit River loadings have been adjusted for
equal discharge to Lower Detroit River at mouth.
** Difference is fror?. Lower Detroit River and
adjusted Upper Detroit River.
13U-V
-------
TABLE hO-V. COMPARISON OF INCREASE IN STREAM
LOADING WITH KNOWN WASTE SOURCE LOADINGS
Chlorides - lbs/day
Phenols - lbs/day
Suspended Solids - lbs/day
Settleable Solids - lbs/day
Iron - lbs/day
Total Phosphates - lbs/day
Ammonia Nitrogen - lbs/day
Nitrate Nitrogen - lbs/day
Total Nitrogen - lbs/day
*U.S. Waters
Increase in
Detroit River*-
6,560,000
5oo
6,100,000
5,100,000
193,000
lii5,600
86,500
38,100
1^3,200
Sum of Loadings
from Waste Surveys*
3,320,000 '
2,680
l,ii90,000
966,000
107,000
162,000
1*2,800
697
60,700
135-V
-------
FIGURE 29-Y
8 0,000
MICHIGAN
LAKE
ERIE
0•I roil
Riv«r LI
B
LOADING ADJUSTED TO
FLOW AT DT 3 9
LOADING IN
TRENTON CHANNEL ONLY
SCALE
MILES
i i 0 l 2 J
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE DAILY STREAM LOADINGS
CO L I FO R M ORGANISMS
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, a WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE IL E , MICHIGAN
-------
FIGURE 30-X
01J rott
River Li
DETROIT. RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE DAILY STREAM LOADINGS
PHENOLS
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U.S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION. 8 WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
FIGURE 31-3
10,000,000
LOADING IN
TRENTON CHANNEL ONLY
0 I t 3
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE DAILY STREAM LOADINGS
CHLORIDES
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION,& WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
FIGURE 32-1
290,000
200,000
o 150,000
90,000
DT 30 8W DT 20.6
DT 17.AW OT 14 6W
RANGE
DETROIT
0 N T A/RIO
\>N
LAKE
ERIE
MICHIGAN
I
LOADING ADJUSTED TO
FLOW AT DT 3 9
SCALE
MILES
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE DAILY STREAM LOADINGS
PHOSPHATES (P04)
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, 8 WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE IL E , MICHIGAN
-------
FIGURE 33-31
200,000
80,000
40,000
3
DT 30 8W DT 20.6 OT 17 4W DT 14 6W
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE DAILY STREAM LOADINGS
NITRATES (N)
U.S. WATER S
DETROIT RIVER
U S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, 8 WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
FIGURE 34-1
160.000
120,000
4
X
J
it
* ¦
ii
t;
<.!¦
*T
V
£
£
>
»
i
¦i
V
Jt
X
>
a
i
i
, H
x
3
DT 30 8 W DT 20 6 DT I7.4W DT 14 6W
RANGE
0 N T A/ R I 0
MICHIGAN
LEGEND
LOADING ADJUSTED TO
FLOW AT DT 3 9
LOADING IN
TRENTON CHANNEL ONLY
V
Duron
R i v • r LI
GIBRALTAR
SCALE
MILES
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE DAILY STREAM LOADINGS
AMMONIA (N)
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, Q WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE IL E , MICHIGAN
-------
FIGURE 35-1
60,000
<
0 60,000
D 40,000
O
20,000
*-1
9
P
i
rU
J*
h
*-
£
,*
3
\
*(¦
i
%
*
**
>
y
J
1
>1
/j
t
f
V
«*.
\
"V
¥
X
i
g
?
v.
V
¦*
(
\
1 .
$
A
MICHIGAN
0 • I r of t
Ri««r Lt.
LOADING ADJUSTED TO
FLOW AT DT 3.9
SCALE
MILES
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE DAILY STREAM LOADINGS
ORGANIC NITROGEN
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, a WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE IL E , MICHIGAN
-------
FIGURE 36-1T
10,000,000
8,000,000
° 6,000,000
(£
UJ
a.
(O
o
3 4,000,000
O
a
2.000,000
0
MILES
10 I t 3
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE DAILY STREAM LOADINGS
SUSPENDED SOLIDS
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, S WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
€
i,
i
$
iS
S
f.
li-
ft
0
1
I
ji
J
¦3
%
A
%
f
f
9
I
'%
tk
s-
rn
>
*
LJ
1
s
J"!
L-;
i
-------
FIGURE 37-2
400,000
LAKE
ERIE
Otireil
Rivar Li.
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE DAILY STREAM LOADINGS
IRON
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U.S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, & WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V CROSSE IL E , MICHIGAN
-------
FIGURE 38-2
-20* t>A„r
v~-
0 • 1 r 011
Ri.ir Ut.
SCALE
MILES
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
GEOMETRIC MEAN COLIFORM CONCENTRATIONS
ADJUSTED TO FLOW AT CROSS-SECTI0N
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, & WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE
-------
FIGURE 33-3:
-------
FIGURE 40-3Z
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE CHLORIDE CONCENTRATIONS
ADJUSTED TO FLOW AT CR0SS- SECTI ON
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH. EDUCATIONS WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE IL E , MICHIGAN
-------
FIGURE 41-2
*// ROUOC
MICHIGAN
WYANDOT TE
RlvOVtt »
I n CN TON
SCALE
MILES
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE PHOSPHATE CONCENTRATIONS
ADJUSTED TO FLOW AT C R OS S -S E CTION
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION.a WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
FIGURE 42-£
- ° 4°
\
9
E
1
z
2 o 30
H
<
c 0 10
0T 30.ew DT 20 6 OT 17 4W DT 14.6W
RANGE
0 N T A/R I 0
•W ROUGE
MICHIGAN
WVANDOT TE
RIVt»VI£»
--•fiao.
v~-
OI0B4LT4* (
SCALE
MILES
110 I I J
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE NITRATE-N CONCENTRATIONS
ADJUSTED TO FLOW A T C R 0 SS - S E C TIO N
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATIONS WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE IL E , MICHIGAN
-------
FIGURE 43-1
e
i
z
o
1
<
z
o
2 0 10
DT 50.8W DT 20 6 DT 17 4W OT 14 6W
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE AMMONIA-N CONCENTRATIONS
ADJUSTED TO FLOW AT CR0SS-SEC T 1 0N
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, E DUCAT I 0 N, d WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V CROSSE ILE , MICHIGAN
-------
FIGURE 44-Y
LAKE
ERIE
MICHIGAN
SCALE
MILES
\ ± 0 \
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE ORGANIC — N CONCENTRATIONS
ADJUSTED TO FLOW AT CROSS-SE C Tl 0N
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, 8 WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
FIGURE 45 -I
L A\X £
WINDSOR
\\^
t>T I 7 4 W DT 14 6 W
RANGE
DT 8 7W DT 3 9
Vv
O N T A/R I 0
MICHIGAN
V
SCALE
MILES
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE SUSPENDED SOLIDS CONCENTRATIONS
ADJUSTED TO FLOW AT C R 0 S S - S E C T 10 N
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, 61 WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
FIGURE 46-Z
1.00
SCALE
MILES
110 I 2 9
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
AVERAGE IRON CONCENTRATIONS
ADJUSTED TO FLOW AT CR0SS-SECTI ON
U.S. WATERS
DETROIT RIVER
U S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATION, S WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE IL E , MICHIGAN
-------
TABLE 4l-V. BACTERIAL LOADINGS AM) WEIGHTED AVERAGE CONCENTRATIONS
DURING WET AND DRY CONDITIONS - DETROIT RIVER
UNITED STATES WATERS
DRY WET
."Range
5(w
B.P.E.
Xv
B.P.E.
"Jt 30.8W
55
876
31
48o
:ot 25.7 ¦
482
1,690
4o
6,710
Dt 20.6
537
6,4oo
27,500
311,000
Dt 19.0*
2,800
34,000
702,000
7,670,000
Dt 17-4W
3,l4o
'"A
ro
0
0
12,700
210,000
Dt l4.6w
3,360
56,100
16,300
275,000
Dt 12. OW
6,990
3*1,400
8,530
41,400
j>t 9.6W*
2,430
11,700
10,100
50,400
Dt 9-3E
3,690
11,100
3,300
17,200
Dt 8.7V/
5,3^0
26,500
0
0
—¦4
CO
1—1
90,800
»t 3-9
5,150
57,100
i4,4oo
141,000
f Results from 1963 data
136-V
-------
TABLE 42-V. SUMMARY OF DETROIT RIVER TRIBUTARY
STREAM LOADINGS A1ID WEIGHTED AVERAGE CONCENTRATIONS
Tributary
^ Total Q Ammonia Organic Total
Chlorides Phenols Coliforms Phosphates Nitrates Nitrogen Nitrogen Nitrogen
Rouge River
Weight eel Avg. - r.ig/l 59
Loading - lbs/day 1,160,000
15
250
47,000
20,000
0.228
4,240
0.50
9,320
0.75
1^,320
0.18
3,380
1.43
27,020
Ecorse River
Weighted Avg. - mg/l
Loading - lbs/day
ih2
42,000
7.6
2.5
154,000
193
0.11
0.6
1.21
9-5
0.34
2.1
Monguagon Creek
£ Weighted Ay;;; , ••
. Loading - lbs/day
<
i/1
360
24,600
1>94
102
700
1.1
0.128
8.3
3.03
195
0.62
39
a - Weighted average is organisms per 100 ml and loading is EPE/day.
b - Phenol concentrations are in/jg/l
-------
Storm Water Overflow Studies
Combined sewers carrying both domestic waste and surface runoff are used
in the Detroit metropolitan area as well as most of the large metropolitan
areas of this Nation. During periods of significant rainfall these sewers
discharge a combination of raw sewage and storm runoff directly to the
receiving stream (in this case the Detroit River) without treatment of any
kind. The effect of this operation upon v'ter quality in the Detroit River
and possible interference './ith vster use doT./nstream was of great concern to
Project personnel, and special studies to provide appropriate facts were
undertaken.
The problem was attacked in two ways. First, a cooperative study with
State of Michigan regulatory agencies '•.¦as set up to mec-sure the frequency,
duration, volume, and strength of the overflows rt the point of overflow.
Secondly, a special stream sar.pling progrc.rr. on the Detroit ?a.vcr \izis estab-
lished to collect bacteriological samples during and after heavy rainfall.
These were compered with dry weather values found at each sampling location.
Characteristics of Overflows fro::; Combined Sewers
Special samplers were designed ana fabricated and placed ct the point.
of overflow in the Conners Creek sewer system, which serves c r-.roxinately
25 per cent of the City of Detroit. The r.'.~:iplers were completely automatic,
activating and deactivating at the beginning and end of an overflow. The
samples were collected by Project personnel and analyzed at Public Health
Service laboratory facilities. Determinations made include total coliform,
fecal coliform, and fecal streptococci on individual samples; r.nd a limited
138-V
-------
number of phosphates, nitrogen compounds, suspended solids, and BOD and
phenol determinations on composite samples representing an entire storm.
Haxer level recorders were installed at each location and extra rain-
-"all gages installed to provide adequate precipitation data. A control
.¦ yjdy was also made in similar manner at the Allen Creek drainage system in
..no City of Ann Arbor to determine similar characteristics of discharge from
separate storm severs.
A special factual summary of the results of this investigation was
prepared by the Michigan Department of Health. This report lists average
and extreme bacteriological results and the duration of each overflow. The
report estimates the volume of overflow discharged into the Detroit River
following each storm. The report also points out that, generally speaking,
accumulated precipitation to the beginning of the overflow p~riod of 0.3 inch
;/ill cause an overflow at the Conners Creek installation and 0.2 inch will cause
an overflow at the Conant-Mt. Elliot relief sewer.
Additional summaries of the results of this investigation were made to
emphasize certain findings. Table 1+3-V lists pertinent facts concerning the
number of overflows at Detroit during the first year's operation of the
-impler (excluding the 10-day period of raw sewage by-pass at the Conners
Creek pumping station) and the duration of overflows. Figure bj-V summarizes
?0-year rainfall records for the Detroit area by showing the number of days
per year rain of specific intensity and accumulation could be expected. I&ble
It't-V summarizes bacteriological results at the separate storm overflow at •
Ann Arbor. Table k'j-V shows the average composite results of BOD, solids,
139-v
i
-------
FIGURE 47-2
TOTAL RAINFALL (INCHES)
RAINFALL INTENSITY (INCHES/HOUR)
BASED ON 20 YEAR RECORDS AT DETROIT CITY AIRPORT
DETROIT RIVER- LAKE ERIE PROJECT
EXPECTED FREQUENCY OF RAINFALL
CITY OF DETROIT
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF H E A LT H , ED U C A T 10 N , S W EL F A R E
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE, MICHIGAN
-------
TABLE Ii3-V. OVERFLOWS FROM COMBINED SEWERS
CONNER GRAVITY SYSTEM
CITY OF DETROIT
Number of Overflows
Location of
Installation
1st Year of
Operation
2nd Year of
Operation#
Total
Conners Creek
23
10
33
Jefferson & Leib
31
16
hi
Location of
Mean Overflow
Total Accumulated
Installation
Duration
Overflow Time#
Conners Creek
9.85 hours
325 hours
Jefferson & Leib
6,70 hours
31U hours
Note;
Conners Creek Sampler installed 5/10/63
Jefferson & Leib Sampler installed 6/15/61;
Jefferson & Leib Sampler not in operation from 12/10/63 to 3/17/6U
*Through August 31, 196k
mo-v
-------
TABLE M-V. SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGY RESULTS
ANN ARBOR STORM SEWER INSTALLATION
Date of
Overflow
Duration
of
Overflow
(Min)
Total
Rainfall
inches
Number
of
Samples
Total Coliform
Organisms/lOOml
Geom. Mean
Minimum
Maximum
Fecal Coliform
Organisms/lOOnl
Geom. Mean Minimum Maximum
2h
38
11
G105
16
27
30
h
39
25
1U
22
29
3
5
33
27
3
15
33
,75
.UO
.Uo
.25
.90
• 25
1.0
.50
.55
.60
• 50
MS
MS
.35
.30
.30
.25
.UO
.35
.35
.35
.55
2
5
8
3
21
h
1
6
7
2
8
6
3
5
6
2
2
12
10
2
6
12
3Uo,ooo
116,000
355,000
880,000
139,000
2,100,000
5,500,000
h,oio,ooo
187,000
10,200,000
2,200,000
h,100,000
390,000
3,900,000
15,000,000
1,700,000
5,800,000
1,200,000
220,000
3^,300,000
920,000
8,500,000
180,000
70,000
210,000
h60,000
ij2,000
1,030,000
3,300,000
120,000
5,500,000
120,000
2,800,000
250,000
2,500,000
2,900,000
500,000
h,100,000
170,000
L10,000
2^,000,000
610,000
3,500,000
6U0,000
200,000
520,000
2,300,000
2,800,000
3,200,000
5,900,000
280,000
19,000,000
5,100,000
5,100,000
Qh0,000
6,800,000
32,000,000
5,800,000
8,100,000
3,900,000
1,500,000
ii9,000,000
2,000,000
22,000,000
17,000
10,100
7 ,li00
73,000
28,700
39,000
86,000
78,100
2h,100
133,000
125,000
Gl,500
60,000
135,000
560,000
270,000
680,000
350,ooo
165,000
lhl,000
3h0,000
57.0,000
9,000
10,000
U,000
58,000
10,000
26,000
16,000
11^,000
56,000
30,000
G1,500
26,000
290,000
lJh,000
120,000
210,000
20,000
L10,000
360,000
300,000
200,000
32,000
io,Uoo
Hi,000
87,000
87,000
56,000
250,000
38,000
320,000
2Uo,ooo
111, 000
1^2,000
830,000
h,300,000
600,000
2,200,000
1,700,000
1,000,000
1,550,000
380,000
1,300,000
-------
TABLE hh-V. SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGY RESULTS ANN ARBOR STORM SEWER INSTALLATION (CONTINUED)
Fecal Streptococci
Organisms/lOOml
Composite Res
ults per Overflow
Date of
Susp. Solids
Phenols
Phosphates
Ammonia N.
Organic N.
Overflow
Geom. Mean
Minimum
Maximum
(ppm)
(ppb)
(ppm)
(ppm)
(ppm)
196k
it/2-3
31,000
25,300
38,500
-
12
—
•
.02
a/21
12,i»00
7,100
19,700
91
25
.7i*
.1*7
h/28
20,100
11,500
32,800
-
7
-
Mo
.88
5/8
323,000
26I4,000
113,000
9h9
11
2.1*
.60
.30
5/8
73,000
36,000
mo, 000
2,062
1
2.7
.55
.3U
6/7
193,000
125,000
336,000
-
-
-
.67
.51
6/7
326,000
-
-
-
-
6/12
12U,000
80,000
210,000
66,000
-
—
6/15
U2,5oo
30,000
-
—
—
6/19
116,000
90,000
150,000
-
_
-
7/2
190,000
lho,000
262,000
-
-
-
.1*1*
.hi
7/2
180,000
11*2,000
237,000
-
-
-
.59
.52
7/3
-
96,000
96,000
-
-
-
7/20
600,000
310,000
1,000,000
i,5Wi
-
9.5
.15
.19
7/25
670,000
360,000
1,81*0,000
1,320
10
lu3
.68
.00
8/3
1*75,000
3140,000
660,000
-
-
-
-
-
8/11
260,000
200,000
330,000
-
-
-
-
-
8/]l
190,000
130,000
330,000
90a
7
2.1
-
.28
8/11
120,000
L10,000
100,000
1,066
9
2.0
-
.28
8/17
362,000
320,000
Uo,ooo
-
-
-
—
8/22
310,000
21*0,000
1*00,000
-
-
•
-
-
8/28
330,000
120,000
550,000
*
-------
TABLE U5-V. SUMMARY OF COMPOSITE RESULTS COMBINED
AND SEPARATE SEWER INSTALLATIONS
Range of Composite Results
Location of
Installation
Type of
Sewers
BOD
(mg/l)
Susp. Solids
(mg/l)
Phenols
(ug/l)
NH.N
(mg/l)
Org. N.
(mg/l)
Total PO.
(mg/l)
Ann Arbor
Separate
29 - 51
91 - 2050
1-25
.b - .7
.00 - .88
.28 - 9.5
Conners Creek
Combined
-
lli - 1x22
11 - 125
1.3 - 5.1
.16 - .52
1.8 - 13
Leib & Jefferson
Combined
1*6 - 217 ,
86 - h22
12 - 35
3.2 - 5.9
.21 - 1.09
h - 2h
£
Uj
I
-------
TABLE Ij6-V. SUMMARY OF BACTERIOLOGY RESULTS AT SAMPLER INSTALLATIONS BY TWO-MONTH INTERVALS
Period
Analysis
Ann Arbor
Range of
Geometric Mean
(Organisms/lOOml)
Detroit
Range of
Geometric Mean
(Organisms/lOQul)
Ann Arbor
Geometric Mean
of all Storms
(Organisms/lOOml)
Detroit
Geometric Mean
of all Storms
(Organisms/lOOml)
Ratio of
Combined
(Detroit)
To separate
(Ann Arbor)
Overflows
April-May
Tot.Col.
116,000- 880,000
575,000-23,600,000
279,000
3,350,000
lh:l
Fee.Col.
7,ii00- 73,000
187,000- 3,570,000
19,300
1,&0,000
5U:1
Fee.Strep.
12,000- 323,000
276,000- 1,1*90,000
Wl,900
510,000
12:1
June-July
Tot.Col.
187,000-15,000,000
1,3h0,000-15,000,000
2,670,000
20,100,000
8:1
FeCoCol.
21,100- 560,000
hi 0,000-10,500,000
105,000
3,230,000
31:1
Fee.Strep.
h2,500- 670,000
185,000- 980,000
201,000
153,000
2:1
1
'Aug-Sept
Tot.Colo
220,000-3)4,300, 000
3,200,000-h5,000,000
2,550,000
17,200,000
7:1
Fee.Col.
165,000- 7li7,000
500,000-16,500,000
395,000
5,810,000
15:1
Fec.Strepo
120,000- 362,000
Uio,ooo- 790,000
270,000
5l5,ooo
2:1
Oct-Nov
Tot.Col.
900,000-18,200,000
_
1,280,000
-
Fec0Col.
-
900,000-17,h00,000
-
1,250,000
-
Fee.Strep.
-------
nutrients, and phenols at the three installations, while Table ^-V summarizes
"bacteriological results at the three stations "by 2-month intervals.
Careful study of the data summaries and individual results reveals
several interesting facts, among which are:
1. Total coliform, fecal coliform, and fecal streptococci concentrations
in the overflow from combined sewers many times approached values found in
raw sewage. Coliform counts of over 100,000,000 organisms per 100 ml per
sample were found during summer months.
2. Bacterial concentrations in the combined overflows varied greatly
with the season or time of the year. The '.ighost concentrations were found
during warmer weather nno lowest results in the- -arter.
3. Total coliform concentrations in the separate rr/sI;en at Ann Arbor
regularly exceeded 1,000,000 organisms per 100 ml. Aver". ";e total coliform
concentrations in the overflows from the Detroit combined system were ap-
proximately 10 times higher than those in \nn Arbor separate system. Fecal
coliform concentrations in the combined se.rer CTuent '..•ere fo ;nd to be ap-
proximately 30 times greater thnn similr.r values in the separate system, while
comparable fecal streptococci levels were rt lc:'St twice an high.
¦>
if. In the Detroit srea rainfall :;uJ'Tic.:.f::': to cruse overflows from all
combined sewers (0.3 inch) cin be expect 6 ;,o occur orroro-rs..: tely 33 days
each year. RainiV'll sufficient to cause o*,ev.Tows from cor,;.- in parts of the
system (0.2 inch) can be expected to occ-o" about days ere"- r.
LU5-V
-------
5. Although the average duration of overflow from combined sewers was
found to be 8.2 hours, discharges have occurred for continuous periods in
excess of 2b hours. Two such overflows occurred during the month of August
1961;.
6. Suspended solids concentration in the discharge from the separate
storm installation at Ann Arbor was higher than in the combined overflows
at Detroit,
7. Phenol, BOD, phosph'-te, ciranoni.'1, and organic nitrogen concentrations
were two to five times higher in the conbined overflow than in separate storm
dishcarge.
8. Bacteriologicpl results from the combined installations showed a
slight tendency for higher values durir.^ thr: first snr^lc ~v.:t thereafter were
relatively const cut in nature throughout the duration of tho overflow.
9. Bacteriological results at the 'iw /'rbor separate r;;";,ten were also
comparatively constant dnrinr; a storn - rl -ay:.; .";.i.,aini"ig -r t. one order of
magnitude. Giiinll chonges in quality nnc flow were more notic:.:.hle at this
installation, however.
10. C: londar ye r 19^3 the driest on record for the C." v- of Detroit
according to irinfall records of the U.3. ¦.¦leather Bureau. Eve:: during this
year, the Connors Creek pumping station was observed to overflow 12 times
during a 6-month period in 19^3 • During the first year of operation of the
automatic sampler, the Conners Creelc installation overflowed ana collected
samples 23 separate times. Both figures er.elude the period of raw seT.rage
bypass from this station "by the City of Detroit.
11*6-v
-------
11. The volume of overflow at the Detroit installation during the survey
varied from 1(0 million gallons to 509 million gallons. The greatest volume
l/as observed during the overflow of longest duration. This volume, which
originates from only 25 per cent of the City of Detroit, is approximately
the same as the daily discharge of partially treated sewage from all se-^age
treatment plants into the Detroit River.
12. Volume figures in the joint report indicate a discharge into the
Detroit River of U',V "billion gallons from the combined severs serving the
Connor system during the first year of operation of the sampling stations.
13. Overflow from the combined sewers occurred 3 ~ ^ Per cent of the,
time during the survey period. Rate of discharge per hour from the combined
sewers varies with the intensity of the storm making an exact ratio of sewage
from the Conners gravity system to the discharge to the Detroit River impossible .
Within the limits observed during the study, 50 - 80 per cent of the raw
sewage normally reaching the treatment plant is spilled over ir.to the River
during the overflow. Combining the average ranges of these tiro figures
results in approximately 2 per cent of the total raw sewage contributed to
the Detroit area plants reach 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 considered conservative since the
Conners system is designed for more storage capacity than many other combined
sewers in the Detroit and downriver collection systems.
Iii7-V
-------
Effect of Overflows from
Combined Severs on Detroit River
Several times special field investigations were made to determine the
effect of overflows from combined sewers upon the Detroit River during or
following rainfall. This \/as accomplished by collecting bacteriological
samples above and below combined sewer outfalls during and following rainfall
and comparing results from these analycos -.dth dry weather data. Investiga-
tion was made during nine storms, during -hich overflows occurred, in the
period April 23, 19^3 through August 15, 19SH. Total coliforn, fecal colifora,
and fecal streptococci determinations were made or. samples collected during
this period. Five ranker; from the herd to the mouth of the Detroit River were
selected for this special sampling program to minimize the impact on the
laboratory and get the most sifjiificant results -./ith minimuu.-. effort.
Figure 'fo-V graphically edicts the change in bacteriological concentra-
tions, during July 19^3; ¦-"ollo'dng three storms of sufficient magnitude to
cause overflow from combined sewers. Figure '.'-9-V shows the increase in total
coliform concentration from the headwaters to the mouth during a typical
overflow. The value at the station nearest the United States shore is shown
in Figures J<8-V and ^9-V.
1U8-V
-------
1,000,000
FIGURE 4 6-1
¦
•
¦
¦
1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1
1 l/l 1
Vi/ i i
1 1 1 1
1 1 1 1
2 3 4 9 6 7 0 9 10 11 12 13 14 13 16 17 IS 19 20 2 I 22 232423 26 2728 29 30
DT 30. 8W — tOO FEET
1,000
I 2 3 4 3 6 7 e 9 10 11 12 13 14 19 16 17 IB 19 2021 22232423 26 2729 29 30
DT 28.4 W — 100 FEET
12 3 4 3 6 7
9 10 II 12 13 14 19 I 6 17 1819 20 2122232^ 25 262729 29 30
DT 20.6-50 FEET
I 2 3 4 9 6 7 6 9 10 11 12 13 14 19 16 17 16 >9 2021 22 23 2423 2627 2829 30
DT 14.6W- 100 FEET
RAINFALL ACCUMULATIONS (Detroit City Airport)
July 14 0.67 Inches
July 17 0.16 Inches
July 22 1.33 Inches
July 28,29- 0.52 Inches
OVERFLOW DURATIONS
July 14 Lei b - J ef f er son-6 Hours, Conners Creek-12 Hours
July 17 Lei b - Je H er son-4 Hours-, Conners Creek-None
July 22 Leib-Jefferson-4 Hours; Conners Creek-7 Hours
July 28,29— Leib- Jefferson-3 Hours, Conners Creek-13 Hours
SCALE
Horizontal—Ootes During July, 1963 as Indicoted
Vertical— Log Scale Total Coliform (MF) per 100ml os Indicated
LEGEND
I 2 3 4 9 6 7 0 9 fO II 12 13 14 15 16 IT 10 19 2021 22 23242 9 26 27 2829 30
DT 3.9 -2500 FEET
Overflow at Both Conners Creek and Lei b - Jeff erson
Overflow ot Leib - Jeff erson Only
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
SUMMARY OF STORM EFFECTS DURING JULY 1963
STATION NEAREST U.S. SHORE
DETROIT RIVER
U.S, DEPARTMENT of HEALTH, EDUCATION, Q WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE IL E, MICHIGAN
-------
FIGURE 4 9 —I
DETROIT RIVER-LAKE ERIE PROJECT
TOTAL CO LI F ORM CONCENTRATIONS
BEFORE 8 AFTER STORM OF JULY 22, 1963
STATION NEAREST U.S. SHORE
DETROIT RIVER
U S DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH, EDUCATIONS WELFARE
PUBLIC HEALTH SERVICE
REGION V GROSSE ILE. MICHIGAN
-------
Study of Figures I|8-V and ^9-V and. individual Project and municipal
data reveals several facts:
1. Coliform, fecal coliform, and fecal streptococci concentrations
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 concentrations 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. Bacteriological
concentrations shove this point stayed fairly constant during wet and dry
conditions. Conners Creek represents the most upstream location of many
combined sewer outfalls which o:cfcend to the mouth of the River.
Analysis of the City oC Detroit sampling records reveals individual
analyses exceeding 800,000 organisms per 100 ml in the Detroit River on the
day .-following significant rainfall.
5. High "bacteriological concentrations following overflows were found
at both the City of Wyandotte water intake and the new City of Detroit
intake near Fighting Island. The Wyandotte values exceeded 100,000 organism:
per 100 ml and the Fighting Island values 10,000 organisms per 100' ml.
6. The effect of overflows on water quality in the Detroit River has
been observed as long as 4 days after the rain that caused such overflows
subsided. A storm which showed this effect occurred on August 11, 19oU.
1U9-V
-------
7. Results from each of the nine storms individually investigated
demonstrated a severe effect on water quality in the Detroit River as
evidenced "by increased "bacterial concentrations. This effect -was also
noticed in statistical evaluation of regular data "by wet or dry conditions.
8. The length of the effect of overflows of combined sewers upon vater
quality in the Detroit River varies from 1 to ^ days after the "beginning of
the actual discharge.
9» The greater the rain the longer the period of overflow and more
severe the effect on the Detroit River.
10. VJhile "bacteriological analysis was used to compare normal conditioni
with those found during or following an overflow, other observations were
made by field personnel in the area during heavy rains which indicated the
deleterious effect of the overflows' upon water quality in the River. Field
notes on these occasions described debris and garbage as irell as excrement"
floating doi-m the Detroit River.
11". • Analysis of rainfall, overflow, and stream quality records reveals
that during a 9-month period in 19&3 (March - November) overflows from
combined sewers affected water quality in the Detroit River during part or
all of 88 days. This represents 32 per cent of the days in t'r.e 9-nionth
period. This phenomenon occurred during the year of lowest accumulated
rainfall and could represent an even greater effect on Detroit River water
quality during a year of normal rainfall.
150-v
-------
Intensive Surveys - Detroit River
The majority of sample collection "by Project personnel was on a daily,
weekly, monthly, or seasonal "basis over a relatively long period of time.
Also, tributaries to the Detroit River were regularly sampled at their mouth-
only. Intensive surveys were made of the Detroit River to detect any major
change in water quality during the day or night and determine if weekend
conditions approximated those found during the week. Intensive surveys of the
Rouge River, Ecorse Creek, and Monguagon Creek were also made to detect
changes in water quality in these waters upstream from the regular sampling
station.
Detroit River
Two intensive surveys were conducted on the Detroit ;",:!ver, each lasting
10 consecutive days with composite and individual sampling every 3 hours. One
survey was conducted during dry conditions and one during wet conditions. No
diurnal variation was noted in the water quality of the river and no sig-
nificant difference between weekend and weekday \7ater quality res observed.
Generally speaking, the results from this survey were comparable with
summer results of the regular sampling program.
Rouge River
Three intensive surveys were made of the Tiouge River during Calendar V ...
1963. Figure 50-V shows the location of the sampling points surveyed.
River flow during these surveys remained comparatively constant, presumably
because of a constant industrial waste discharge of significant auantity.
compared with natural stream discharge. Table hj-V summarizes results during
151-V
-------
PAGE NOT
AVAILABLE
DIGITALLY
-------
the first survey conducted during the idnter of 1963. Correspondence from
the Michigan Department of Health revealed that during the survey raw sewage
was "bypassed while a recently completed interceptor from the City of Dearborn
•was inspected and cleaned. ~Tables and ^9-V summarize the results of
the second and third Rouge River Surveys. During the third survey only
"bacteriological results were made.
Phenol concentrations averaged >v;/l during the first survey at a
point 1.8 miles upstream from the mouth and decreased noticeably to a range
of 2 - 22jug/l due primarily to dilution T,jith Detroit River T.
-------
IJMMAHY OF RESULTS OF
'river SURVEY NUMBER ONE*
y lit-31, 1963
irie
1
T17
T18
T19
T20
T21
T2U
T25
,300
3,200
3,900 .
3,9C0 .
110,000
90,000 .
1,000,000
3,1+30,000
,100
2,100
1,1+00
3,600
67,000
-
1+00,000
1,1+00,000
173
200
263
3^0
10,600
1+8,000
1+2,000
136,000
73
98
87
50
28
-
28
1+1
• 59
.1+1
.35
•35
.1+8
-
•75
.82
25
2h
29
31
lk
0
18
55
.21
.22
.22
• 31
.66
-
I+.5I+
6. lb
7.1
7-1
7-0
6.9
7.5
-
7.6
7-1+
i+o
in
1+1
1+2
86
206
185
152
5-2
5.^
5-7
5-9
6.1
0.3
3-7
9.8
10.3
10.3
9.3
9.0
6.2
1.7
93
97
91+
98
151
330
338
303
3-5
3-0
3.6
5.3
11.1
-
36.1+
103.3
<.01
.01
.01
<.01
.01
-
.11+
.78
<.01
<.01
<.01
<.01
<.01
-
•05
<•01
.01
.01
.01
.01
.0*4
-
.02
.29
• 09
.11
.10
.09
•05
-
.05
.09
.01
.01
.01
.01.
.02
-
.02
.01
.02
.03
.02
.03
.02
-
.03
.08
-------
TABLE 1+8-V. SUMMARY OF RESULTS OF
INTENSIVE ROUGE RIVER SURVEY NUMBER TWOS
June 16-19, 1963
Unit
~ 1 a-t ion
Constituent ¦ ¦
Til
•
T13
T15
Tl6
Organisms/lOO ml
Total Coliform
*10,000
590
20,000
6,800
Organisms/lOO ml
Fecal Coliform
13,000
230
5,500
2,500
Organisms/lOO ml
Fecal Strep.
9 00
kS
450
170
mg/l
BOD
5.1
2.5
3-3
13.2
mg/l
COD
23
7
18
15
/ug/l
Phenols
3.7
8.7
2.7
2.5
-
pH
1-2
8.0
7-2
7.2
°C
Temperature
20.1
17-8
20.5
22.0
mc/l
Chloride
6'j
22
42
33
mg/l
Ammonia
1.07
.U2
•53
.63
mg/l
Org N
.26
.hi
.29
• 36
mg/l
Suspended Solids
13
0
1U
15
fflg/l
Settleable Solids
12
-
10
12
xrg/i
Iron
2.06
-
2.21
-
mg/l
Cyanides
0
0
0
0
A«e/l
AJ3S
.1^
-
.11
rag/l
Copper
-x-
_
*
-
Nickel
.01
-
.02
•
Zinc
.01
-
*
Lead
.02
_
*
Chromium
.01
-
*
Cadmium
*
-
*
-
* Not detected at the sensitivity of the test, .01 mg/l
- No determination, made
a Average values found during survey for all constituents except "bacteria
for which geometric means are shown.
1Sli-v
-------
TABLE kq-V. SUMMAK-: OP RESULTS OF
INTENSIVE ROUGE RIVER SURVEY NUMBER THREE
September 2k - October 1, 1963
Geometric Mean Maximum Minimum
Coliform Coliform Coliform
Concentrations Concentrations Concentrations
Org/100 ml
Org/lOO ral
Org/lOO ml
T10
55,000
1^0,000
5,000
Til
60,000
^50,000
10,000
T12
5U,ooo
U50,000
10,000
T13
810
5,000
200
Tilt
770
U ,800
120
T15
21,000
1,300,000
1,200 '
Tl6
3,200
17,000
800
T17
1,300
19,000
li(0
Tl8
1,100
3,000
20
T19 ¦
1,600
51,000
*iO
T20 •
90,000
2,100,000
5,000
T21
' 3,300
61,000
1+00
T22
1|,100
53,000
300
T23
8,500
ij8,000
1,000 ,
12b
3,900
2^,000
1,000 1
T25
3,000
hi,ooo
2,000
T26
6,100
360,000
2,000
T27
3,300
13,000
900
1#-V
-------
in "bacterial concentrations at the mouth of the Rouge was attributable to the
sporadic discharge of raw sewage into the River from an overloaded pumping
station operated by the City of River Rouge. This information las turned
over to appropriate State of Michigan agencies, and in "both cases corrective
action was taken to eliminate these sources of pollution.
BOD and dissolved oxygen values during survey number 1 indicated
discharge of oxygen-consuming wastes again attributable to the bypass during
construction repairs by the City of Dearborn.
Iron concentrations were high, averaging over 1 rag/l at the mouth during
surveys number 1 and number 2. Iron concentrations in the Rouge below points
of discharge of industrial waste containing iron averaged over 2 mg/l during
survey number 2.
Average values of suspended solids ranged from k - 55 mg/1 with higher
values upstream and higher values at the mouth, during the summer survey.
Settleable solids observed during the second survey varied from 60 - 90
per cent of the suspended solirs found in the River, with the largest values
at the mouth.
Of the toxic metals, nickel, zinc, lec-d, and chromium were consistently
found throughout the length of the Rouge River in concentrations ranging
from 0.01 to 0.11 mg/l. AUG T/ns found ~.t the mouth at a concentration of
500 ^ig/l, which \7c.s somcwhnt higher tiic.r. found in the Detroit River.
The Rouge River was found to be polluted to the erctent that it interfered
with water uses along its own reach - including recreation and navigation.'
This River -.-as also found to be a major source of pollution affecting water
quality in the lower Detroit River. Most significant of the Measures of
Detroit River water quality affected by the Rouge are coliforr., iron,
suspended and settleable solids, and phenol concentrations.
1^6-V
-------
Ecorse River
An intensive survey was conducted on the Ecorse River July ll+-l8, 196 3-
The regular Banpling station at the mouth indicated high coliform "concen-
trations, especially during or following rainfall. Several combined sewer
outfalls are located along the North Branch of the Ecorse River, and discharge
from these severs was suspected of contributing to the high bacterial concen-
trations found at the mouth. No rain occurred during the survey, and the
flow of the Ecorse was negligible ( lees than lefs).
Results of sampling indies bed high coliform, chloride, and suspended
solids concentrations at the mouth and both "branches. Coliform and fecal
streptococci concentrations in the North Branch were significantly higher than
those found in the South Branch. Sho:,n "below is a brief surmary of a range
of average values found during this survey.
Mouth
Constituent Ecorse River North Branch South Branch
Coliform (org/lOO ml) 660,000 '18,000-65.000 1,700-31,000
Fecal Strep. (org/100 ml) 25,000 1,200- 5,':00 ]:30- 1,300
Chlorides ~(mg/l) 89.2 120- ibh 106- 2U9
Suspended Solids (ng/l) 25 &1 173
Settleable Solids (ng/l) 5 ^-6 127
ABS (^g/l) 900
These results indicate -Dilution fror.1 domestic -waste sources probably
through overflow:; from combined sewers, although this could not be verified
due to lack of rainfall during the survey -oeriod. The concent rat ions found
probably represent a residual effect from the overflows in this small river
. plus small undetectable amounts of domestic waste flowing into the river in
dry weather.
157-V
-------
Monguagon Creek
An intensive survey was conducted on Monguagon Creek July 1^-18, 1963.
Flow in the creek was greatly influenced "by approximately 11 cfs of indus-
trial waste from the Permsalt Chemical Company's West Plant. Upstream from
this outfall the flow in Monguagon Creek T./as 0.5 cfs and downstream 12 cfs.
Significant results of the sampling include phenol, suspended or
settleable solids, nitrogen compounds, and chlorides. ShOT7n "below is a
summary of average values at the mouth as well as above and below the
Pennsalt outfall.
Mouth Below Pennsalt Above Pennsalt
Flow (cfs) 12.0 12.0 0.5
Phenols (^ig/l) 1,050 1,230 6
Suspended Solids (mg/l) 131 100 i'£
Settleable Solids (r.ig/l) llo 69 26
Chlorides (mg/l) 3^3 339 210
Ammonia (ng/l) 3>03 2.97 0.^9
Org-N (mg/l) 0.62 O.38 0.27
Coliform (organisms/lOO ml) *$0 190 7,700
The decrease in coliform concentration'below the outTall was due to
dilution iri-th low coliform water as well as the bactericidal effect of the
industrial waste.
Study of '.joste loadings shown on the folloi/ing page revested the
Pennsalt Clier.iccl Conpany as the major contributor of all constituents
mentioned (except bacteria). In fact, the increase in stream loadings below
this one source varied from 96 to 99 per cent. All values sho-./n are in
pounds per day.
158-v
-------
Constituent . Mouth Bclov Pennsalt Above Pennsalt
Phenols ' '65 80 0.02
Suspended Solids 8,VrO 6,1+70 270
Chlorides 22,200 21,900 566
This survey reveals that Monguagon Creek is a major source of phenolic
contribution to the Detroit River, and generally speaking, water quality
conditions at the mouth of this creek are representative of the effluent of
the Pennsalt-West Chemical Plant.
159-V
-------
SPECIFIC INTERFERENCE WITH WATER USE
DETROIT RIVER
Water Supply
Three municipal water intakes are located in the Detroit River. Two are
located in the lower section of the River "below the Rouge and are seriously
affected Toy pollution. The other intake is located near the head of the
Detroit River and is free from damaging effects of pollution.
Southwest Water Intake - City of Detroit
This intake, located near Fighting Island, collects high quality water
much of the time during dry weather conditions, but following overflows from
combined sewers upstream the water exceeds 10,000 coliform organisms per 100
ml. Project data indicate geometric mean coliform concentrations of
approximately 800 organisms per 100 ml during dry conditions and 4,000
organisms per 100 ml during wet conditions. Maximum values exceeding 50,000
coliform organisms per 100 ml have been observed in waters adjacent to thi's
intake following heavy rainfall. The geometric mean coliform concentration
of 9 samples collected at the intake during the summer and early fall of 1364
was 2,2^0 organisms per 100 ml, with a maximum value of 6,400 organisms
per 100 ml.and 67 percent of the samples greater than 2,400 organisms per 100
ml. These values are within limits recommended by the Public Health Service
for raw water but do not compare favorably with water quality in the upper
Detroit River.
Analysis of data collected by Wayne County Road Commission personnel
during summer months reveals a geometric mean of 1,930 organisms per 100 ml
at the intake before its use. Samples collected during fall and winter
160-V
-------
months indicated water of better bacteriological quality. Ereakdown of
these results reveals 6k percent of the samples collected during summer months
with values greater than 1,000 coliform organisms per 100 ml, 39 percent
greater than 2,U00 coliform organisms per 100 ml and 17 percent greater
than 5,000 coliform organisms per 100 ml. The maximum observed value during
this period was 2^0,000 organisms per 100 ml. No records of raw water
results were available after the plant opened in May 196^. This plant serves
an estimated population of 200,000.
The effects of pollution upon this water use vary greatly because of •
its location outside the mainstream of the normal flow of grossly polluted
water down the Detroit River. This is fortunate, but changes in weather
conditions such as wind and rain can pose a threat to the health and welfare
of the users of this supply. This may be especially true when rainfall in
the drainage area of the Rouge River causes overflows from combined sewers.
City of Yfyandotte water Intake
Raw water records at this intake have been described elsewhere in this
report. (See Figure 15-1.) Monthly geometric mean coliform concentrations
during the last H years frequently exceeded 10,000 organisms per 100 ml.
During the past 2 years monthly geometric mean coliform concentrations were
lower but still exceeded 5>000 organisms per .1.00 ml quite often during the
summer months.
The maximum coliform concentration each month exceeded 110,000 during 35
of U8 months during the period 1960-63- Both maximum and geometric mean
values are minimized due to the maximum dilution employed by plant personnel,
which allows specific reporting of coliform concentrations equal to or less
161-V
-------
than 110,000 organisms per 100 ml. If the true values were known (rather
than merely greater than 110,000 organisms per 100 ml) the monthly geometric
means and maximum values would undoubtedly "be higher.
Project data reveals stream quality of which the geometric mean coliform
concentration is approximately 3,000 organisms per 100 ml during dry condi-
tions and 1+0,000 organisms per 100 ml during wet conditions. The maximum
coliform value observed by Project personnel during the survey at this
location exceeded 600,000 organisms per 100 ml.
Such "bacteriological levels exceed requirements for a safe and depend-
able raw water supply. Improvement in operation at the City of Detroit
Sewage Treatment Plant have lowered the values during record years to those
reported above, but more remains to be done. Pollution in the raw water
used as a municipal source by ^,000 persons constitutes an interference with
this water supply and a threat to the health and welfare of the consumer.
To add to this already difficult problem, ammonia concentrations in the
intake interfere with chlorination so essential to the production of drinking
water from this supply.
These statements should not be. interox-eted as criticism of the operation
of the Wyandotte water treatment facilities. It merely means that because
of pollution, the raw vater stipply available at this location does not meet
accepted levels of bacterial quality and is lower in quality than that which
would be expected at a municipal water intake.
3,62-V
-------
Industrial Water Supply
Attempts to acquire information from industries in the study area, rela-
tive to interference to their water supply due to pollution, were generally
fruitless.
Inquiry made to the Detroit Edison Company, an industry using cooling
water only with several plants located from the head of the Detroit River
to its lower reaches, resulted in statements to the effect that no serious
problem existed, and only minor troubles at an installation in the Rouge
River due to organic matter, and at an installation "below Conners Creek
following overflow from the nearby combined sewer. In both cases, a company
representative stated that the problem was easily solved by increase in chlor-
ine dosage. This industry was asked for information relative to water
treatment costs at their plants. They declined to provide this information.
Recreation
Because of pollution, all bathing areas below Belle Isle on the Detroit
River have been described as unsafe for swimming and other water-contact
sports by State and local health authorities. This restriction affects the
lower 26 (out of 31) miles of the Detroit River.
Numerous complaints concerning the effects of pollution were received
from boat owners and operators of marina facilities alonrj the lower Detroit
River. These were verified b;» visits to the installations where observation
revealed docking facilities fouled with oil and filled in with sludge. Many
owners reported significant expense incurred in periodic cleaning or
dredging of their docking area to remove accumulated material. Floating oil
has fouled both docking facilities and the boats tied up, necessitating
163-V
-------
extensive cleaning and resulting in reduction in the value of the installa-
tion. Ownership and operation of sports water-craft is "big business on the
Detroit River, with over 125,000 vessels registered during a recent year.
Pollution causing this problem is due to the discharge of oil and settleable
suspended solids from municipal and industrial outfalls on the Detroit River.
Swimming and water skiing still occur in the restricted area, and such
practice represents a threat to the health and welfare of the user. The . -
restriction on the other hand represents an interference with a legitimate
water use by those who heed the warning.
Fish ano, 'fildlife Propagation
Although there is no evidence in reduction in total numbers or pounds
of fish caught by sports fishermen in the Detroit River, records of creel
census by various agencies indicate a change in the predominant types of '
fish present in the waters from game or sport fish to those of the rough
variety - such as carp.
Bottom conditions along the lower section of the Detroit River, caused
by pollution, represent unfavorable environmental conditions for the propaga-
tion of a great variety of game fish ana contribute to the interference with
this water use by limiting the variety to those species capable of survival
and propagation in polluted waters.
During the past four years no major duck 3:ill due to pollution has been
experienced in the Detroit Paver.
This admirable accomplishment is the result of effective oil pollution
control by the Michigan Water Resources Conmission with the advice and
assistance of the Michigan Conservation Commission. Major kills have
I6U-V
-------
occurred as recently as i960, when over 10,000 birds succumbed. Constant
vigilance during critical seasons is required to prevent a recurrence of such
a tragedy.
Occasional spills of oil and toxic materials have killed fish, but
during the survey the numbers of fish affected have been small. This does
represent an interference of a water uce in the lower Detroit River when
such- an accident occurs.
Navigation
Interference with navigation experienced at the junction of the Rouge
and Detroit Rivers, requires extensive annual dredging operations by the
Corps of Engineers to keep navigable voters in use. The interference is
caused by "deposition of suspended solids at the mouth of the Rouge River,
a portion of which originates in the discharge from several industries along
the Rouge. This fact is recognized by both the industries and the Corps who
make a charge for this service to the polluters involved.
165-v
------- |