Water and Sanitary Sewer Systems
Water Wells Wellhead Protection Water Distribution System Water Meters Water and Sewer Fees
Wastewater Treatment Plant Wastewater Collection System Private Utilities
Water Wells
The City of Richmond's water is supplied from 7 wells owned by the
City and operated by Public Works personnel. Combined, these wells can pump at a rate of
over 1,800 gallons per minute. Operations are in accordance with the strict requirements
of the Public Health Division of the State Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ).
Monthly operation reports are submitted to the DEQ for review. Bacteriological samples are
taken from all wells and from the distribution system each month. These water samples are
collected and analyzed by the Macomb County Health Department. Copies of the test results
are sent to the City and the DEQ. The Federal Safe Water Drinking Act requires several
other types of testing to be done by public water supplies over different time periods.
The DEQ insures that these tests are performed and that the City remains in compliance
with all requirements.
Richmond does not add fluoride to the water. However, fluoride does occur naturally in the water. Questions about the levels of fluoride and hardness are frequently asked and are as follows:
Wellhead Protection Plan
The City of Richmond received a $40,000 matching grant from the Michigan
Department of Environmental Quality for the completion of the city's Wellhead Protection
Plan. Following review and approval by the DEQ, the Plan was adopted by the Richmond
City Council on January 7, 2002. Following additional review and refinement, the
revised Plan was adopted by the City Council on May 19, 2003. The Plan was
implemented in an effort to safeguard the city's water supply in the delineated wellhead
protection area. Our efforts will also help safeguard the water supply of private
wells within the protection area. There have been two revisions to the plan, the
most recent being November 15, 2004.
A "Local Team" of volunteers was established to develop the Plan, which includes:
The Local Team is comprised of:
Troy Jeschke:
Richmond Planning and Economic Development Director
Kim Galange:
Richmond
Area Chamber of Commerce
Paul Fejedelem:
Richmond Public Works Department Representative
Jonathan Moore:
City Manager and Tax Increment Finance Authority Representative
Gordon
Fuerstenau:
Richmond Township Representative
Alane Rowley:
Macomb County Soil Conservation District Representative
David Scheuer:
Richmond Public Works Department and Fire Department Representative
Gary White:
Macomb County Health Department Representative
Terry Gibb:
Macomb County Michigan State University Cooperative Extension Office Representative
Keith Rengert:
Area Resident Representative
Kay Almstadt
Area
Resident Representative
The firm of Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber was selected to facilitate and coordinate the planning program, assist the Local Team in formulating the Plan, and draft the Plan text for submission to the DEQ for approval and to the City Council for adoption. Mr. William Kelley and Mr. James Brode of FTC&H were instrumental in keeping the Team focused and on schedule. For more information on wellhead protection, visit the DEQ website.
Distribution System
The water distribution system is comprised of over 34 miles of water
main, the largest of which is 12 inches in diameter.
System flushing takes place 2 times each year during the months of April and October. Notices are published in the newspaper 1 week prior to flushing and the week of flushing. Users may experience discolored water during system flushing. This discoloration is caused by natural sediments in disturbed water lines, but it is not harmful. Run the water until it clears. Should the condition persist, contact City Hall. A member of the Public Works Department will respond.
Water Meters
There are over 2,300 water meters in the system, with the list getting
larger on a daily basis. The city is divided into 3 sections for reading purpose, with
each section read quarterly. Readings are entered into a touch pad recording device, which
allows the readings to be down loaded into the main computer at City Hall for billing
purposes. The City Treasurer's office processes utility billing and answers billing
information requests.
If you receive what you think is an exceptionally high bill please check your toilets and faucets. We have found that 9 out of 10 times the cause is a leaking commode or faucet.
Water meters are the property of the City and remain under City control at all times. City Code requires that meter reading devices be located in easily accessible locations and that authorized personnel of the City shall have free access to them at all reasonable hours. Yard fences with locked gates or a loose dog and dogs on long ropes or chains create difficulties for a meter reader. Also, no visible address on buildings causes difficulty for a meter reader, as well as for Police, Fire and ambulance in the event of an emergency. Please be sure that there is an address number clearly visible on your home or store front.
Wastewater Treatment Plant
The City's WWTP is an activated sludge/oxidation ditch plant. The
plant is designed to handle 900,000 gallons per day average annual flow. Due to the
storage capacity of the oxidation ditches, under very abnormal conditions the plant could
retain up to 5,000,000 gallons of wastewater for processing when conditions returned to
normal. The plant was designed to meet the anticipated growth needs of the city into the
year 2000. As of 2001, wastewater flows are at 77% of the plant's design capacity.
Mr. William Ruff is the Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent.
The WWTP is located at 35653 31-Mile Road. While the plant is owned by the City, the operation of the plant is performed by Tetra Tech MPS through contractual arrangements. The telephone number for the plant is (586) 727-7574.
Collection System
The Public Works Department is responsible for operation and
maintenance of the wastewater collection system. The collection system is comprised of
over 27 miles of sewer main, the largest of which is 30 inches in diameter. Included on
the system are 6 sewage lift stations. This is a closed system that is not used to drain
surface water.
The wastewater collection and processing system is not designed to process paint and paint products, caustic cleaners, pesticides, petroleum based products and similar types of products. Doing so interferes with plant operations and is harmful to the employees. Because of this, City Ordinances prohibit the disposal of these items in either the sanitary sewers or storm sewers. Please dispose of these types of products properly.
The City of Richmond is serviced by the following private utility companies:
Telephone: Verizon Communications
Natural Gas: Southeastern Michigan Gas Company
Cable Television: Comcast
Electricity:
Detroit Edison
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This page was last updated on 03/06/08 09:32 AM. Copyright © 2003 City of Richmond, Michigan. All Rights Reserved.