CADILLAC — The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) has issued a violation notice to the city of Cadillac following an April incident where more than 16 million gallons of partially treated sewage spilled into the Clam River.
The notice also cites the city for failing to report the incident to state authorities within the required 24-hour window.
City officials acknowledge the release of sewage and the failure to alert the state or local media promptly.
The spill occurred during floods in April when a lift station in Cadillac failed, leading to the discharge of the partially treated sewage.
Utilities Director Jeff Dietlin, stated that while water was not 100% treated throughout all processes, it received 100% disinfection before being released.
Dietlin clarified that the city operates with primary, secondary and tertiary treatments, holding them to a higher standard than some other municipalities in Michigan.
He explained that if Cadillac only had primary and secondary treatment and released the same product, there would have been no violation letter because it would be considered 100% treated under those standards.
Environmental Engineer Aaron Kline with EGLE’s Water Resources Division confirmed that despite the spill, everything was disinfected and no bacteria entered the river. He stated that the environmental impact on the Clam River seemed minimal, with no significant concerns.
Kline emphasized that EGLE’s primary concern and the reason for the violation notice was the city’s failure to report the spill within 24 hours. “Whenever they have a spill within the system or a bypass, we do need that reported to [us] within 24 hours,” Kline said, explaining that this allows EGLE to evaluate the discharge and assess any potential environmental impacts or concerns.
Dietlin attributed the reporting delay to the overwhelming circumstances during the flood. He stated that city personnel were at the lift station 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for approximately a month after the incident. “We had other things on our mind rather than the amount of water that was flowing through the system getting treated,” Dietlin said.
He also explained the system’s design, stating, “There’s a safety level that if these pumps can’t handle the overflow, it’s designed this way to overflow, go to disinfection and then get released to the river. That’s the way the system is designed.”
Dietlin reiterated that there was no point where the city was not treating the maximum amount possible, despite some water not undergoing 100% tertiary treatment.
However, some residents have expressed concern over the lack of immediate notification. Bill Barnett, a concerned citizen, called the incident a “huge issue.” Barnett noted that “16 million gallons went out into the river and they were silent for three weeks when it was supposed to be told immediately.”
He argued that residents along the Clam River, including those in Haring Township, should have been informed immediately.
Dietlin maintained that there was no benefit for the city to withhold information and that they are not hiding anything. He encouraged anyone with questions or concerns to contact the city, noting that they had not received any inquiries about the situation.
The city of Cadillac has until the end of July 2026 to officially respond to EGLE regarding the violation notice.
The city has until the end of the month to respond to EGLE.