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Alma manager outlines industrial pretreatment program timeline; EGLE review to precede ordinance update
Summary
City staff told commissioners the industrial pretreatment program (IPP) and sewer-use ordinance revisions are advancing: field sampling and model updates are complete, a draft was submitted to EGLE, and staff expects planning steps through 2026 including possible enactment in September 2026.
City staff told the Alma City Commission they have completed field sampling and laboratory analysis for an industrial pretreatment program and have submitted a draft revised sewer-use ordinance and model ordinance revisions to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) for review.
Staff said upcoming steps include finalizing local limits and sewer ordinance revisions, coordinating required agreements with township partners, and obtaining EGLE program and document review. The timeline presented anticipated EGLE review of the program and local limits in the spring, bringing the draft to the commission for review in May and submitting it for approval in June; staff said formal enactment of the program could occur in September 2026 if all reviews and interlocal agreements proceed on schedule.
The update included a discussion of emerging contaminants such as PFAS and how industrial pretreatment is intended to limit discharges that the city’s wastewater treatment plant cannot remove. Staff noted that higher contaminant levels in solids can make spreading biosolids difficult or force disposal to a landfill.
Commissioners received the update by unanimous voice vote to receive the city manager’s report; no formal ordinance vote occurred at the meeting.
Staff also reported the city received a $30,000 Nexus Energy Grant from EGLE to offset the cost of new blowers at the wastewater treatment plant; those blowers have been installed and are operational.
Staff said more outreach and coordination with township partners will be required before final ordinance adoption.
