FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

September 20, 2021

Media Contact:

Ashleigh Chatel / O: 313-324-7867/ [email protected]

Great Lakes Water Authority Power Quality Monitors Identify Power-Related Issue at Freud Pump Station

• GLWA leadership has requested on-site support from external power suppliers in advance of predicted heavy rainfall to help troubleshoot potential problems;
• Out of an abundance of caution, GLWA is warning residents in low-lying areas prone to flooding to remove valuables from basements

DETROIT— Thanks to power quality monitors that the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) installed at its Freud, Conners Creek and Blue Hill Pump Stations in August, the Authority has identified a potential power-related issue at the Freud Pump Station. This power-related issue could possibly impact the number of pumps GLWA can bring online at Freud during the heavy rainfall that has been forecasted by the National Weather Service (NWS) over the next several days.

Immediately after identifying this potential issue, GLWA executive leadership contacted the Authority’s external power suppliers to inform them of the issue and request on-site support to help identify the cause of the power fluctuation during the next several days of predicted heavy rainfall. The Authority’s external power suppliers have already responded favorably to this request. GLWA has staff on-site at Freud given the predicted rainfall and the potential power-related concerns.

GLWA has also reached out to its member partners in the areas that are tributary to the Freud Pump Station to inform them of the potential issues and put them on notice that we may request assistance with flow management from their communities.

The Authority is asking residents in low-lying areas that are prone to flooding during heavy rainfall to remain vigilant and out of an abundance of caution, to remove items of value from their basements.

This request is being made of residents because, even without the potential power-related issues that have been identified, this rainfall may exceed normal design standards for the regional collection system. The NWS is forecasting total rainfall of 2-4 inches from Tuesday to Thursday, with rainfall rates between 1-1.5 inches per hour a possibility.

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About the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA)

The Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) is the provider-of-choice for drinking water services to nearly 40 percent, and efficient and effective wastewater services to nearly 30 percent, of Michigan’s population. With the Great Lakes as source water, GLWA is uniquely positioned to provide those it serves with water of unquestionable quality. GLWA also has the capacity to extend its services beyond its 88 member partner communities. As part of its commitment to water affordability, the Authority offers a Water Residential Assistance Program to assist low-income households in participating member communities throughout the system. GLWA’s board includes one representative each from Oakland, Macomb and Wayne counties, two representatives from the city of Detroit, and one appointed by the Michigan governor to represent member partner communities outside of the tri-county area.