Downriver Wastewater Treatment Facility - History
The origins of the Downriver Wastewater System can be traced back to the World War
I era and the early 1920s, when sewers were constructed by Wayne County to serve
communities along the Detroit River. In the late 1920s, these sewers were extended
to serve the Wayne County Drainage District No. 5 and the Le Blanc Drainage District.
During this period, most of the sewage discharged directly to open drains and the
Detroit River without treatment.
The wastewater treatment plant and the River Drive Interceptor were constructed
in the late 1930s. This system, as originally constructed, provided primary treatment
for a flow of 30 million gallons of sewage per day. As the area grew, so did the
need for additional treatment capacity. During the 1960s the plant was expanded
to provide additional primary treatment. The geographic area served by the system
was also enlarged at this time; interceptors were constructed to service most of
the present Downriver area. Since the 1930s the following expansion and improvements:
Pumphouse addition – 1962
Primary addition – 1968
Secondary addition – 1974
Additional clarifiers – 1988
Additional Belt presses – 1995
Major equipment replacement and increased capacity 1997-2001
Ultraviolet Disinfection addition – 2000
Collection System
Northeast System
The Northeast System provides the connection from the southeast Macomb and eastern
Wayne County communities of Harper Woods, Grosse Pointe Woods and Grosse Pointe
Shores to the Detroit Water and Sewage Department (DWSD) interceptor system. DOE/FMD,
through its Milk River staff, is responsible for the operations and maintenance
of three pump stations: the Kerby Road, Marter Road and Harper Woods pump stations.
North Huron Valley/Rouge Valley
This system is comprised of interceptors, pump stations and lift stations that move
sewage and storm water flow from western Wayne County communities and the City of
Novi to the DWSD system.
The following 15 communities are served by the NHV/RV wastewater
system:
Canton Township
Dearborn Heights
Garden City
Inkster
Livonia
Northville
Northville Township
Oakland County (Novi)
Plymouth
Plymouth Township
Romulus
Van Buren Township
Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Basins
Wayne County operates and maintains the following CSO Basins on behalf of the respective
municipalities:
- Southgate-Wyandotte
- Milk River
- Dearborn Heights
- Inkster
- Redford Township
- River Rouge
Downriver Wastewater System...
Department Organizations...
Kerreen Conley 
Division Director, Deputy Drain Commissioner
Phone : (313) 224-7679
Firooz Fath-Azam
Downriver Wastewater Treatment Plant
Phone : (734) 285-5246
Andrew Keller
County Drain Maintenance & Records
Phone : (734) 326-4500
Ancell Noel
Pump Station, CSO Basin and County
Sanitary Sewer Interceptor Maintenance
Phone : (734) 285-9355
Sabu Varghese
Industrial Pre-Treatment Program
Phone : (734) 285-7232
24 Hour Environmental Hotline
Ph: 888-223-2363