Public Works Department

Mission Statement:

The major responsibilities of the Grosse Ile Public Works Department are providing Grosse Ile residents with safe drinking water, removal of solid waste via contract operation and the operation of the sanitary sewage system. Continued improvements, such as an automated pressure and flow monitoring system and the addition of a GIS System, will enhance systems operations.

Service Statement:

The Public Works Department maintains over sixty-five miles of water main and fifty-eight miles of sewer system that serves approximately 11,000 residents. The department responds promptly to water main breaks to insure the least amount of disruption in service to Island residents. Our commitment is to serve the needs of the community with the dedication and professionalism the residents deserve and have come to expect.

2001-2002 Budget:

History:

The Public Works Board was formed in the 1930’s as a Water Board and it progressed to a Public Works Board in 1936. In 1965 bonds for the original water project were satisfied. At this time, absorption into the Township was accomplished, thereby converting the enterprise into a Commission under the authority of the Township Board.

The sewer system was added at a later date. The construction of the original system was placed under the control of Wayne County as a drainage district. Following several years of service, the Township Board determined in 1987 that the operation of the sewer system could be run more efficiently under Township auspices. A contract operations firm, Earth Tech, was hired at that time. Earth Tech, formerly known as Williams & Works, still operates the sewage treatment facility under Township direction.

Refuse pickup on Grosse Ile began as “homeowner initiated” with each homeowner responsible for his own trash disposal. Refuse pickup evolved to contract operations with services managed and directed by the Township. Recycling has progressed from a small recycling site behind the former Township Hall on Macomb Street to curbside pickup in 1995. In accordance with Michigan law, Grosse Ile Township began picking up yard waste, seasonally, also in 1995.

The yard waste must be taken to a compost facility where it is decomposed and will be used for topsoil.

2001-2002 Accomplishments

Water:
The DPW has implemented water testing as a supplement to the Detroit Water & Sewer Departments (DWSD) routine testing. The DPW responded to 56 water main breaks from January 1,2001 to December 31, 2001 a reduction of 12 over the same time period last year. Progress in our long-term water main replacement program will ensure continued reductions in water main breaks and interruptions in service. Replacement projects this year included Lake Rd, Rucker Rd, and the Airport Commerce Park.

Sewer:
The sewer system evaluation study (SSES) has been completed. Through that study it has been determined which area’s of the system need to be repaired and/or updated. Segment I of the project will consist of three phases.

• Phase I
  Manhole repair Project at a bid price of $1,723,288.00
• Phase II
  Cure in Place pipe project at a bid price of $682,688.00
• Phase III
  Pipe bursting and point repair Project at a bid price of $414,400.00

There are four overlapping segments with the first of the four segments beginning on April 1,2002 and the last segment ending July 1, 2005. The total cost of this project is estimated at $38,000,000.

Refuse:
Refuse, yard waste and recyclables collection will continue under contract to Abcor Enterprises. In the last year we hauled and landfilled 6,205 tons of trash and 4,916 yards of yard waste. Our recycling program collected and recycled 922,905 pounds of material. Yard waste continues to be collected from April 1st
through November 30th each year.

2002-2003 Goals and Objectives:

Complete Segment I of the sewer Rehabilitation Project.
Replace East River Rd. watermain from Manchester to Ferry.
Continuing education for maintenance staff keeping them informed and aware of the latest technology.

Miscellaneous:

• A new DPW Manager, Barry Sedlock, was hired in September 2001. Mr. Sedlock comes to the Grosse Ile Department of Public Works with over 35 years of experience in water and sewer.
• The DPW Commission meetings are now televised so the community can be kept informed and updated on a monthly basis.

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