Ishpeming Mayor Jason Chapman addresses the ongoing water issues some city residents have been dealing with since the spring. Chapman also said the city is still waiting to hear if it will receive $36 million from the state for infrastructure improvements.
Wednesday night, the Ishpeming City Council held a special meeting to discuss flooding and backups in some residents’ basements. The city sent the following after the meeting:
During the December 20, 2023 special city council meeting, city officials reported to City Council members the results-to-date of investigations into flooding that occurred in the City of Ishpeming during Spring 2023. During the September 6, 2023 city council meeting, City Council gave city staff direction to investigate based upon resident complaints that were brought forth during that meeting and others.
City staff engaged Tunnel Vision Pipeline Services, an Escanaba-based company that serves federal, state, municipal, industrial, commercial, and residential markets. Tunnel Vision investigated 1664.4 linear feet of sewer lines with telescoping equipment. Findings from the Tunnel Vision investigation were shared with City Council, and included photos, videos, and maps. City officials also conducted a records review as part of the investigation, which was also shared with City Council. Findings-to-date concluded that uncapped sewer lateral lines are contributing to water infiltration into the City Sanitary Sewer and are also the likely source for water entering homes.
City officials provided, as part of the report, several solutions for city council to consider. City council was asked to make decisions about the recommended solutions. Additionally, City Council was asked to direct city staff to address identified issues and further investigate into additional potential sources for groundwater or storm water infiltration into the City’s sanitary sewer.
Additional information shared by city staff at the meeting included background and overviews. Included were: city priority efforts (including: to provide infrastructure improvements that sustain the community’s long term viability (water, sewer, stormwater, roadways, & structures) through sustainable planning & development); recently awarded funding toward infrastructure improvements including $16 million toward Sanitary Sewer and $20 million toward Drinking Water Infrastructure improvements; and overviews of both storm water and roadway challenges the City of Ishpeming is facing.
