State Rep. Donni Steele on Monday called on Oakland County to protect nearby waterways by ending a decades-old practice of dumping wastewater overflow, including partially treated and untreated sewage, into the Red Run Drain, which flows into the Clinton River and Lake St. Clair.

“Protecting our waterways and strengthening our infrastructure is one of the most important responsibilities that elected officials in Michigan have, whether we serve at the local or state level,” said Steele, R-Orion Township. “Oakland County officials can’t claim to care about the environment while they continue to put residents and wildlife at risk through this dangerous practice.”

Oakland County discharges its overflow wastewater after an inch of rain when its treatment facilities reach capacity. Republican and Democrat officials in Macomb County and residents along the Clinton River have been vocal about the negative effects of the dumping practice. The discharge has led to beach closures and muck build-up along the river.

“The fact that Oakland County is causing so much pollution is simply unacceptable. We need to be better,” Steele said. “Our kids swim in Lake St. Clair and the Clinton River. Yet, Oakland County continues to dump raw sewage into those same bodies of water every time it rains a little too much. It may be expensive, but I cannot think of a more deserving investment than to ensure our children don’t have to share the lake with their own waste.”

Oakland County’s discharge permit expired last year. However, state law allows it to continue operating its wastewater treatment system under the expired permit until the Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (DEGLE) approves or denies its pending application for a new one.

“Residents should be outraged that this dumping has been allowed to continue under an expired permit,” Steele said. “It’s our job as government officials to protect the safety of our children by investing in infrastructure. The health risks to our communities are blatantly evident. It shouldn’t take a lawsuit for Oakland County to stop using our waterways as its own personal toilet. We can’t wait any longer; too much is at stake.”

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