Flint River Contact Warning Issued After Weekend Sewage Overflow

The Flint Water Crisis may be more than a decade behind us, but the memory is still vivid for many Mid-Michiganders. A new alert issued is triggering flashbacks.

Weekend Rainfall Pushes Flint Treatment Plant Past Capacity

Over the weekend, health officials issued a warning that’s getting a lot of attention across Genesee County. After heavy rainfall early Saturday morning, the Flint Water Pollution Control Facility was pushed beyond its treatment capacity. When that happens, the system has a difficult choice to make, and unfortunately it meant releasing a mixture of storm water and partially treated sewage into the Flint River.

READ MORE: Flint Water Crisis at 10 Years, EPA Still Denies Responsibility

According to officials, the discharge started around 8:20 Saturday morning and continued until about 5 p.m. Sunday. By the time it was over, more than 11 million gallons had entered the river.

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That water was heavily diluted with storm runoff, and the facility did add a partial disinfectant before releasing it. But even with that step, the Genesee County Health Department isn’t taking chances.

Health Officials Warn Residents to Avoid the River

Officials are advising people to avoid any contact with the Flint River for now, particularly downstream from the wastewater plant. That includes areas stretching through Flint Township, Flushing, and even up toward Montrose.

READ MORE: Jesse Jackson Called Flint a Crime Scene During Water Crisis

Health officials say the concern is elevated bacteria levels that can sometimes follow these types of overflow events. ABC 12 reports that water samples are being collected, and the results will eventually be posted through the State of Michigan.

Why Water Alerts Still Hit Flint Residents Hard

For many people in this community, the words “water warning” still carry a lot of weight. Flint knows better than most how important it is to pay attention when something like this happens.

READ MORE: Who Qualifies for the $600M Flint Water Crisis Settlement?

City leaders did approve a $142,000 repair project last month for a sluice gate that helps regulate wastewater flow into the treatment system. For now, officials say the best move is to avoid the river until testing tells us more.