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Mount Clemens, Macomb County and donors fund rain-barrel giveaway to reduce sewer overflows
Summary
City and county officials announced a partnership to distribute 166 free rain-barrel kits to households in Mount Clemens' combined-sewer district to help reduce combined sewer overflows into Lake St. Clair and reduce residential watering costs.
Mount Clemens officials announced a county-backed rain-barrel program that will provide one free rain-barrel kit per household to residents in the city’s combined-sewer overflow (CSO) district.
City Manager Shippen said Macomb County Public Works and local donors have helped fund the program, and that Mount Clemens will distribute the kits through its Department of Public Works. "The total funding will provide 166 rain barrel kits to Mount Clemens residents," Shippen said, announcing the program and distribution plan.
Commissioner Candace Miller, who outlined the county’s efforts to reduce flooding and CSOs, described recent work clearing about 2,400 feet of clogged drain near Rose Street and said the county has invested in multiple projects to reduce overflows. Miller said the program grew from successful pilots in nearby communities and the goal is to give residents a practical, on‑site tool to capture stormwater and reduce runoff into Lake St. Clair.
Each kit includes a 58‑gallon barrel, plumbing fixtures, a recycled-wood stand and connectors; officials said residents must commit to using the barrel for personal use only, not for resale, and to return it to the city if they no longer want it. Staff said an interactive map on the city website will show whether an address lies inside the CSO district and that distribution will be first‑come, first‑served.
Officials estimated delivery to the Department of Public Works in about four to five weeks and urged residents in the designated CSO areas to watch the city website and social channels for the forms to request a barrel. The program is funded by county contributions, a private donation and a city allocation; officials said the effort is meant to complement larger infrastructure projects aimed at reducing combined sewer overflows.
Next steps: the city will post sign‑up forms and a district map online, and Department of Public Works staff will manage requests and distribution once kits arrive.
