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Sewer Collapse Update

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What caused the Fraser sewer collapse?

The sewer line broke apart under 15 Mile between Utica and Hayes in late December.
County officials say the problem for the collapse was the result of unreinforced pipe, high water table and a lot of silt.
It affects 600-thousand people in Macomb. The repair will be expensive.

The information came at a special meeting of the Fraser City Council.

The fix for the interceptor is going to be more than $100 million. Public Works Commissioner Candice Miller is trying for state and federal monies to soften the blow. We’ve been telling you that it’s a county problem, neither the state nor the feds are responsible for this, and the county public works indicates the county will sell bonds in stages. That could increase taxes to pay for the bonds, and it will increase water and sewer bills.

Residents in 11 communities who are a part of the system can expect to start seeing higher water bills starting July 1.
A temporary bypass of the broken line is expected to be complete by the end of the month. Work will continue for most of the year.