Recent flooding and snow melt led to a sanitary sewer overflow in the City of Howell.

The City of Howell experienced a sanitary sewer overflow that started at 12:30pm Tuesday, lasting until approximately 1:15pm Wednesday. An estimated 387,000 gallons of diluted wastewater entered the Marion Genoa Drain and was diluted approximately 85% by rainwater. The City says the diluted wastewater overflowed from a manhole located on the south side of Pulford Street, just west of Hadden Street and entered a storm basin 10 feet away, that ultimately discharges into the Marion Genoa Drain.

Officials say the discharge occurred due to an excessive winter rain event that included heavy snowmelt and over 3.2 inches of rain. That caused flows to exceed the capacity of the Waste Water Treatment Plant, resulting in the sanitary sewer system. (JM)