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Ishpeming council hears extended sewer and water update as PFAS, I&I and flow‑meter work continues
Summary
City public works staff reported high unaccounted water and inflow/infiltration (I&I) rates, described a new network of flow meters to locate leaks, and said Lake Bancroft was pumped under EGLE approval to avoid a surge at the wastewater plant. Staff also flagged emerging PFAS testing and treatment costs.
City of Ishpeming public works staff on Wednesday detailed ongoing efforts to reduce unaccounted water and inflow/infiltration and described early results from new flow meters intended to pinpoint problem locations.
The city’s water and sewer updates were offered during the council’s routine operations reports, where staff said Ishpeming is paying for water it does not bill and processing storm-related inflow that increases treatment costs. “These flow meters will help us kinda pinpoint where our problems are,” said Bill Anderson, the city’s DPW general foreman, describing meters that the city is calibrating and preparing to install in manholes.
Why it matters: higher unaccounted water and I&I increase operating costs because Ishpeming buys treated water then treats extra sanitary flow at the wastewater plant. Staff reported unaccountable water roughly around 50% and I&I up around 59% this spring, both described as unusually high and driving investment in monitoring and lining work.
What staff told council - Flow meters: Anderson said the meters will be movable so crews can concentrate them in parts of the system and identify where leakage or illicit connections are causing excessive sewage volumes. The meters are intended to reduce the volume that must be processed at the plant. - Roof drains and sump pumps: city staff reiterated that sump pumps discharging to the sanitary system violate local code and add treatment costs; the city has carried out targeted slip‑lining and pipe replacement work with UPEA. - Lake Bancroft pumping: staff described a controlled pump operation in which crews ran multiple pumps to move lake water north to Partridge Creek storm drains rather than allow a spring surge into the sanitary system. Staff said they obtained EGLE (Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy) approval before the discharge and that EGLE received the action positively.
PFAS and treatment plant implications City officials also flagged PFAS (per‑ and polyfluoroalkyl substances) as an emerging regulatory and capital challenge. Council members were told the city likely will not be able to resume a prior composting operation because of PFAS limits and that measuring PFAS in wastewater and sludge will require new treatment steps. In budget discussion staff said early estimates for new solids‑handling equipment (a replacement press and dryer) could be in the multimillion‑dollar range; staff cited a figure around $3.5 million as one planning estimate.
Next steps and grants Staff said they are pursuing grants for road and infrastructure projects tied to water/sewer repairs and will continue targeted pipe repairs, manhole monitoring and enforcement against illegal sump connections. Flow meter data is expected to direct future work and grant applications.
What was not decided Council heard the update and asked questions but did not adopt a new ordinance or binding policy in this session. Funding and equipment purchases tied to PFAS or major plant upgrades were discussed as future budget items and grant candidates.
