Michigan

Press Release

Fouling the waters: Sewage from unregulated septic systems a growing threat to Kent County
Report calls on county leaders to protect public from sewage pollution

Grand Rapids, MI — About one million gallons of untreated waste from toilets and drains are leaking from septic systems each day in Kent County, fouling streams, endangering human health and driving up costs for homeowners and taxpayers, according to a report released today by Clean Water Fund.

"Kent County's Underground Threat / Protecting Families from Failing Septic Systems" calls on Kent County's elected leaders to protect residents by enacting common-sense septic inspection, treatment and oversight rules.

"With the explosive growth in rural Kent County responsible for a marked increase in the number of septic systems, it's high time that we ensure a minimum level of maintenance and oversight," said James Hegarty, an engineer with the consulting firm Prein&Newhof. "For the time being, it continues to be ‘anything goes' when it comes to raw sewage burbling into creeks, streams and ponds."

A 2002 report from the Annis Water Resources Institute at Grand Valley State University quantified the estimated million-gallons-per-day of leaking septic in Kent County – enough sewage to fill 25,000 bathtubs.

That sewage inevitably ends up contributing to bacteria and viruses in local streams that result in health warnings. It can also leach heavy metals and other toxics into the water, accelerating algae blooms that lead to degraded water quality.

Milt Rowher, the President of the Frey Foundation said, "I've yet to meet anyone from West Michigan who doesn't view our lakes and streams as a huge asset. The possibility that our growing use of septic systems and inadequate maintenance of those systems is damaging water quality is a very unpleasant prospect. This report gives us a lot to think about."

Despite the well-documented danger, Kent County Commissioners did not act when presented with a report in 2002.

"It's sadly ironic that urban residents on sewer systems send their waste to a wastewater treatment plant. But those on septic systems send their waste into the ground, with virtually no rules to protect nearby waterways," said Kym Spring, Organizer for Clean Water Fund. "Why is some sewage sent to a high-tech plant, but septic system sewage remains virtually unregulated?"

New rules will fill a void in Michigan – the only state without a statewide sanitary code governing septic systems. It also would follow the lead of forward-thinking municipalities with septic safety rules including Rockford and Cannon Township.

"There's no indication that state leaders will address this problem anytime soon, despite support for statewide septic rules from Gov. Granholm," said Dick Johnston with the City of Rockford. "Fortunately, other communities both across the nation and in our own backyard have shown the way to implementing sensible protections as we have done in the City of Rockford."

Steve Hamilton, an Ada resident whose story is told in the report, had a major septic system issue. "My septic tank collapsed and it's going to cost us about $7,000 to replace our whole septic system, but it's well worth it," said Hamilton. "I strongly believe everyone needs to do what they can to protect our water quality."

Costs for inspections and monitoring will be a short-term investment with long-term dividends, say backers. It will lessen the need for after-the-fact cleanup programs for polluted rivers and lakes; improve economic opportunities along waterways; and guard against large-scale septic system failures that can cost $4,000 - $10,000 or more.

The report recommends:

  • New residential property owners must be notified they own septic systems, and advised of proper maintenance.
  • Required periodic inspections and maintenance.
  • Mandatory point-of-sale septic inspection.
  • Fees on septage waste haulers to support regulatory oversight
  • County-funded loan program to help property owners, particularly low-income owners, upgrade failing systems.
  • Limit on the number of septic systems per acre

The report was made available with support from the Frey Foundation, the Grand Rapids Community Foundation and the Sebastian Foundation.

Contacts:
  • Kym Spring, Clean Water Fund: 616-742-4084
  • Rachel Hood, West MI Environmental Action Council: 616-822-0700
  • Hugh McDiarmid Jr., Michigan Environmental Council, 248-660-4300
  • Dave Dempsey, Clean Water Fund Consultant, 517-402-1148
  • Milt Rowher, President, Frey Foundation, 616-451-4561
  • Steve Hamilton, Ada Resident, 616-682-0491

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