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Riverside Drive residents urge Mount Clemens to fix repeated sewage backups
Summary
Several Riverside Drive homeowners told the commission sewage is entering basements regularly, citing health and economic harm; residents requested a city-led committee and engineering follow-up, and staff said they will collect contact information and investigate.
Residents of Riverside Drive told the Mount Clemens City Commission they are experiencing regular sewage backups that are contaminating basements and causing recurring, costly damage.
"We get told 'well it's a 20‑year storm' — we've had seven of these 20‑year storms in the past 10 years," said John Agalo, who said he runs a business from his home and cannot use his basement because of repeated sewage. Multiple neighbors described raw sewage, foul debris and recurring cleanups.
Homeowner Bill Buckolz said he has spent "over $110,000" on systems to try to control sewage backflow and called the issue a utility‑system failure that requires an engineering plan and city investment. Nancy Deming said she has had multiple floods and that her insurance and repairs have totaled thousands of dollars; she asked for the results of a previously promised engineering study.
Residents asked the commission to form a committee of city staff and residents and to involve subject‑matter experts. The public commenters repeatedly linked the backups to the nearby Woodside Circle infrastructure and said stormwater and sewer flows interact during heavy rain, causing backups on Riverside Drive.
City staff said they heard the residents and will follow up: the commission asked attendees to leave contact information so staff can meet with them directly. City Manager Greg Shipman noted staff would collect phone numbers and work to address the issue; he also referenced planned capital projects and studies the city is pursuing.
Commissioners expressed sympathy and concern, and several said the sewer system has long‑standing needs, including pump station upgrades and sewer lining. One commissioner cautioned that repairs will take time and money and urged faster progress; another said staff must involve residents in long‑range decisions. No formal action (motion to create a committee or specific capital appropriation) was taken at the meeting; staff follow‑up was promised.
