Potentially heavy rain today could mean the release of raw sewage into the Clinton River.
The sewer collapse in Fraser is blocking the flow of sewage through a sewer interceptor, and a lot of rain would flood the pipe and leave county officials with the choice of letting sewage backup into basements, or divert the rainwater and sewage into the nearby Clinton River. They’re building a temporary bypass pipe but that won’t be done for weeks. The county public works says they will treat sewage with chemicals if they have to dump it into the river, which flows into Lake St. Clair.
The main sewer line broke in late December, 60 feet underground along 15 Mile Road between Utica and Hayes roads in Fraser. Officials estimate it could cost $150 million to rebuild the collapsed pipe.