The Detroit News
Deborah Davis Locker Special to The Detroit News
December 07, 2000
HARTLAND TOWNSHIP — Residents who haven't yet disconnected their water softeners from the sewer system will hear from the township soon.
And they probably won't be asked as nicely this time.
Hartland Township has until June 30, 2001, to comply with a Department of Environmental Quality mandate to reduce the levels of sodium chloride in the soil around the township's wastewater treatment plant.
Sodium chloride is commonly used in water softeners.
"The clock is ticking on this issue," Township Supervisor Greg Bogdanski said. "The compliance date and public disconnection are not the same. The township has to prove compliance by June 30, 2001. Residents need to be disconnected before then, because the township needs the time after public disconnection for sample monitoring, to prove the facility is in compliance by that date."
If it isn't, the DEQ will heavily fine the township, Bogdanski said. Cost of the fines would ultimately land on the township's taxpayers.
Earlier this year, the township asked all residents in the sewer district to voluntarily disconnect their water softeners from the sewer system. Those who disconnected were advised to call Earth Tech,the operators of township waste water treatment system, for inspection.
About 350 property owners disconnected voluntarily, according to Richard Connors of Plunkett & Cooney, an Ann Arbor engineering firm. The sodium levels dropped, but not enough to comply with the DEQ, he said.
Connors estimates approximately 650 additional homes still need to be disconnected.
"Having a water softener connected to the township's sewer system is a violation of the ordinance," he said.
The township says if the remaining properties aren't voluntarily disconnected, it will take necessary legal action to make sure it's in compliance by June 30. The township can gain access to each home with a court order. The court orders usually take 10-14 days, Connors said.
"In the cases where it is in the interest of the public health and welfare, the courts generally side with the municipality," Connors said. "I don't believe the township has any choice here. In order to meet the DEQ requirements, people will have to disconnect."
Bogdanski hopes the township doesn't have to force people to disconnect. "We want voluntary compliance," he said.
The sewer committee is putting together a plan to be presented to the township board at its Dec. 19 meeting.
Background
* Last January, Hartland Township approved a Michigan Department of Environmental Quality consent order on the operation of the township's wastewater treatment plant. The consent order was issued because sodium chloride levels were too high in the soil around the township's wastewater treatment facility.
* The consent order outlined the timetable and milestones Hartland's facility had to meet, and listed reporting requirements and financial penalties for failure to meet them.
* In return, the DEQ renewed the township facility's expired ground water discharge permit and removed a new-connection moratorium.
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