This pre-feasibility study evaluates the hazards of Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO),
which is a problem because it fails to meet current EPA standards criteria:
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Clear levels of control to meet health and environmental objectives
Flexibility to consider the site-specific nature of CSOs and find the most costeffective way to control them
Phased implementation of CSO controls to accommodate a community's financial
capability
Review and revision of water quality standards during the development of CSO
control plans to reflect the site-specific wet weather impacts of CSOs
This pre-feasibilty report proposes a capture shaft and treatment for the following
reasons:
The current state of the Detroit Direct Runoff 1 (DRO1), built in 1936, presents
substantial public and environmental hazards. During wet weather DRO1 was designed to
overflow, since the water treatment plant could not handle the extra flow, causing
contaminated water to be released directly into the Detroit River. This contaminated
water contains human, commercial, industrial and traffic wastes which contains bacteria
and heavy metals.
Our solution involves the collection and treatment of this contaminated water before it
reaches any natural water source. In order to capture the water we propose a capture shaft
utilizing a sinking cassion construction method. This method is very common and
accepted within this region making it a viable solution. Once captured, a chemical
treatment will be applied to the captured water and held for a period of time allowing for
disinfection and screening of the water. Once the process is complete the treated water
will be released into the Detroit River.
Economic reasons….
Problem solved.
Feasible solution
Economic hurdles