EASTPOINTE, Mich. – Millions of gallons of raw sewage were dumped into Lake St. Clair from an illegal sewer hookup in Eastpointe that investigators just discovered.
Macomb County Public Works officials said the dumping was going on for decades.
For at least 20 years, untreated sewage has been pouring into the lake from an illegal connection drain inspectors found hooked up to an Eastpointe apartment building.
Public Works crews sealed off the illegal tap, and all that's left is a muddy lawn, tire treads and flags.
The Macomb County Public Works Office, which has been led by Commissioner Candice Miller since the beginning of the year, estimates the illegal connection is responsible for 200,000 gallons of untreated sewage being dumped into the lake every year, putting the grand total at over 6 million gallons of sewage.
"How do you not know that something's going on like that, especially that much?" Lawrence Phillips, of St. Clair Shores, said.
Residents in the area said their water was always included in their rent. They never saw a water bill and had no idea the illegal hookup was there.