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Experts and residents question flow estimates and dilution at proposed Flint River outfall
Summary
A water‑quality professional and a physician told ADEM the permit relies on downstream or outdated flow data, likely overstating dilution at low flows; they asked for site‑specific low‑flow measurements and stricter sampling before any permit is issued.
Technical testimony at the hearing focused on whether the Flint River can dilute the plant’s proposed discharge during low‑flow periods. Cameron Gregg, who identified himself as a water‑quality professional, said the permit’s flow calculations rely on downstream meters and outdated records and therefore overestimate the river’s ability to dilute effluent. "The river won't have appropriate dilution power to effectively dilute the million gallons a day that the plant's gonna have," he said, and requested an independent, on‑site dry‑period flow study.
Dr. Scott Pitzer framed the same concern in public‑health terms, saying the river is used for whole‑body contact and that discharge volumes (testimony referenced figures ranging from about 1.2 million to multiple millions of gallons per day in public comments) could, at low flow, represent a substantial share of river flow. He offered concrete comparisons: "At the load in this facility, we'll be sending 60 swimming pools of treated effluent downriver daily," he said, and warned late‑summer dilution could fall to 10–15% of total flow.
Speakers urged ADEM to require more rigorous, site‑specific hydrologic measurements and stricter monitoring and sampling protocols in any permit. The agency’s technical response was not recorded in the public comment excerpts provided in the transcript.
