SALINE, Mich., Sept. 20, 2024 — Saline sewage pump station at Woodland Drive experienced an overflow estimated at 40,000 gallons on Wednesday. The cause of this overflow was due to a system malfunction of the programmable logic control (PLC). PLCs is the technology that monitors all the equipment in the sewage pump station.
Due to the malfunction, operators were not immediately notified of the overflow because the dial system had also failed. An alarm was sent from the station system, but it didn’t call out because it appeared a relay was unplugged. Once the relay was put back in place, the call out function was re-established. It was tested several times by forcing the relay to make contact. Everything is now operating properly and will be monitored. In response to this event, state Rep. Felicia Brabec (D-Pittsfield Township) issued the following statement:
“I want to commend the efforts by the city to contain this overflow quickly and effectively. It is clear that this was an unusual incident. At both city and state levels, we must ensure our residents have safe and strong water systems. I helped secure $5 million for the Saline wastewater treatment plant in the 2023-24 budget, and this year the state invested $25 million for local water infrastructure projects matching federal funding. I will continue to advocate for better infrastructure and cleaner drinking water for our community and across Michigan. I am confident that the city will continue its efforts to monitor our sewage pump stations; mitigating any future incidents like this one.”