Public alert issued as Flint’s Water Pollution Control facility discharges treated stormwater and sewage into the Flint River during heavy rain event.

Storm-Induced Sewage Discharge Raises Health and Safety Concerns in Flint

FLINT, Mich. — The City of Flint Utilities Department has confirmed a nearly 36-hour discharge of partially treated stormwater and sewage from its Retention/Treatment Basin into the Flint River, prompting warnings from environmental and public health officials. The overflow occurred between 11:54 a.m. on June 21 and 11:34 p.m. on June 22, 2025, following severe wet weather that overwhelmed the system’s treatment capacity.

According to a press release from the City of Flint Water Pollution Control Division, the discharge included a mixture of stormwater and sanitary sewage that underwent disinfection and continuous monitoring. Officials emphasized that the release, while treated, stemmed from incoming flows that exceeded the plant’s capabilities.

The incident has been reported to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), the Genesee County Health Department, and nearby municipal officials in Flint Township and Flushing. Testing results from water samples are expected to be posted on the State of Michigan’s environmental reporting website.

Rainfall Overload Exposes Infrastructure Strain in Genesee County

The incident highlights the ongoing challenge of managing aging stormwater infrastructure in Michigan’s older urban areas. Retention Treatment Basins (RTBs) are used across the state to temporarily store and treat combined sewer overflows during high-precipitation events. However, repeated overflows—even those that are disinfected—raise concerns about environmental quality, river ecosystem impacts, and potential exposure to waterborne pathogens.

The Flint River, which continues to carry historical burdens from industrial pollution and previous infrastructure failures, remains a sensitive waterway for the city. Past crises—including the Flint water contamination scandal—have underscored the need for proactive transparency and infrastructure resilience. According to a 2024 EGLE report, Genesee County has experienced 11 similar overflow events since 2020, most triggered by weather-related system stress.

In a 2022 Michigan Infrastructure Council report, Flint’s wastewater systems were listed as “at-risk” due to limited funding for system upgrades and vulnerability to climate-driven storm surges.

Environmental Advocates Demand Greater Oversight and Investment

While the Flint Water Pollution Control Division followed standard reporting procedures, environmental groups say such overflows reflect a broader failure to modernize Michigan’s water systems. Clean Water Action of Michigan has previously called for expanded federal infrastructure funding to support communities like Flint.

“Discharges like these might be permitted, but they’re not safe in the long term,” said Melinda Hartwell, a regional organizer with Clean Water Action, in a statement following a similar 2024 event. “We’re one storm away from serious public health consequences.”

Community trust also remains fragile. Public feedback in Flint has frequently noted inadequate or delayed public notification during similar discharges. In this instance, residents were urged to avoid recreational contact with the river, though no official advisory was posted by the city at the time of this writing.

State Monitoring and Public Access to Results Ongoing

Flint officials confirmed that all required agencies were notified, and public access to test results will be provided via the State of Michigan’s MiEnviro Portal, an online database operated by EGLE.

Jeanette Best, the Water Pollution Control Supervisor, requested that news outlets “disseminate this information to the public as soon as possible for the protection of the public.” The notification complies with state public act requirements mandating public disclosure of wet weather treatment events.

Residents are encouraged to monitor updates on water quality advisories through www.michigan.gov or contact Genesee County Environmental Health for additional information.

Your Turn – Like This, or Hate it – We Want To Hear From You

Please offer an insightful and thoughtful comment. We review each response. Follow us to have other feature stories fill up your email box, or check us out at ThumbWind News