Icy roads in some parts of Flushing Township blamed on sump pumps

Eric Dresden | By Eric Dresden | The Flint Journal
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on February 27, 2014 at 7:00 AM, updated February 27, 2014 at 2:22 PM

photo (5).JPGWater draining from sump pumps that lead to the road is leading to large ice patches throughout Flushing Township, including here at  Tahquamenon Trail. Flushing Township will be sending letters out to some residents, explaining that the sumps may not lead to the road anymore and giving property owners options to fix it.

FLUSHING TWP., -- Driving down parts of Tahquamenon Trail in Flushing Township, some residents are forced to stay in one lane because of thick ice that officials say has built up from some property owners routing their sump pump drainage out into the road.

Now, letters are going out to homes around the township asking to make sure water from sump pumps doesn't flow into streets.

Township Supervisor Rian Birchmeier said trustees were going to talk about adding an ordinance to stop the sump runoff from houses to go into roadways during a Feb. 13 meeting, however during the meeting township attorney Steve Moulton found an ordinance the township most recently amended in 2008.

"You can't sump pump water out into the street," Birchmeier said. "I think that some people probably don't know that it's a violation."

Flushing Township Police Chief Brian Fairchild said the township can either issue a $50 civil ticket or seek an injunction from the courts to fix the problem and charge the owner.

Sarah Spencer, a Flushing Township resident for 28 years, said dumping is causing several areas of ice buildup on Tahquamenon Trail, near her house.

"(The letters) are desperately needed," she said.

One area in particular, Spencer noted, is on the lower part of a hill on Tahquamenon Trailand and can reduce traffic to one lane.

Fred Peivandi, director of engineering and county highway engineer for the Genesee County Road Commission, said the sump pump isn't a major issue in the county but said it creates problems when it occurs.

"It's not a huge issue," Peivandi said. "It creates a hazardous situation, especially if you have a cold winter because you get an ice buildup on the roads."

The National Weather Service has recorded 72 inches of snow through Feb. 25 and because this winter has been so long and cold, the ice buildup has been major for some areas where water is being pumped into the roads.

Birchmeier said he's only seen two houses where the water flowing into roads is an issue, but residents compiled a list of about 10 addresses where water is being pumped into the street.

Because of the cold, snowy winter, Birchmeier said the issue has been compounded upon, causing quite a buildup of ice around several houses.

Letters will be sent out to several areas in the township where it has been noted that a resident has sump pump water flowing into the street, Birchmeier said.

Once the weather is warm enough to dig, he said residents will have 30 days to stop the flow to the road and either:

  • Let the excess water flow in the back of their property;
  • Allow it in the front, as long as it doesn't go into the street;
  • Put a permanent tap into the storm sewer.

If residents do not stop the flow into streets during that time, Birchmeier said the township attorney could take legal action against them.