 Great progress occurred over the last year that will impact our region for years to come. We have begun large construction projects that will help prevent sanitary and combined sewer overflows into our waterways and thus reduce pollution in our lakes and streams. We have made changes that will save ratepayers money through shared services and more efficient use of infrastructure in the county. This year also saw the final touches put on the new regional water entity called the Great Lakes Water Authority. Such efforts lead the region to a more efficient and effective water and sewer system that is sustainable and cost effective.
I am most proud of our increased efforts toward collaboration and cooperation with our local communities as well as our neighboring counties. Working together with good communication is always the best way of doing things and making progress.
Our third annual Stormwater Summit was held in Southfield at Lawrence Technological University and was again a success. This event brings stakeholders and industry professionals from across the region together to share ideas on stormwater management and the water quality challenges we face. As a result, we are coordinating a regional effort to develop greener measures to assist communities with a more sustainable, smarter, and less expensive water quality future.
The Walled Lake-Novi Wastewater Treatment Plant and the Commerce Township plant, both operated by our crews, continue to win awards year after year and make me proud of the exceptional job done by our dedicated staff.
We have increased our public outreach, education programs and support of environmental efforts through town halls, social marketing, and media outreach. I’ve held events such as town hall meetings and public forums in every part of Oakland County to discuss water quality, oil and gas drilling, stormwater mitigation and new construction projects. We work diligently to protect our precious water resources in Michigan understanding that we are all connected through water.
Jim Nash
Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner
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 The North Oakland County Water Authority (NOCWA) is a new regional water authority comprised of Auburn Hills, Rochester Hills, Orion Township, Pontiac, and the WRC. NOCWA was created out of collective concern regarding system reliability, decreased water pressure, rising water supplier rates, and overall operating expenses.
The operations plan relies on effective operation of Pontiac’s oversized storage tanks during peak water use periods – when residents use the most water. Draw from DWSD is reduced during morning and evening peaks by monitoring overall demand and supplementing resident demand via the storage facilities through a coordinated process. Results include increased water pressure, reduced energy costs, and $3.8 million in annual savings. This win-win partnership illustrates the power of working together to achieve results otherwise unattainable if not for the innovative, collaborative efforts of these communities.
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 WRAP is a custom-designed service plan to help residential customers in the
Great Lakes Water Authority region to access bill assistance, water
conservation measures, and navigate resources and WRAP-Around Supports
on a pathway toward self-sufficiency.
Some of the participant qualifications for receiving funds are as follows:
Have income at or below 150% of poverty threshold.
Provide proof of residency and income.
Provide renter’s proof of responsibility for water on lease.
Stay current on monthly bill payment.
Program benefits are:
Assistance up to $1,000 per household per year.
$25 monthly bill credit + help with arrears.
Home water audit for households above 120% of average usage. Home repairs up to $1,000 per household to fix minor plumbing issues leading to high usage.
Water saving kits and consumer training classes.
Supportive WRAP-Around Services.
The WRAP’s mission is to administer the distribution of WRAP funding to the eligible, low-income customers of the GLWA with a vision to create a transformative water utility assistance program focusing on bill assistance, conservation and self-sufficiency initiatives.
For more information: 313-386-9727
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Water Resources Commissioner Jim Nash Increases Conservation Efforts
DTE Check for Nearly $45,000 Helps Ratepayers
(Pontiac) The Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner received an incentive rebate check payment recently for $44,997.58 as part of the DTE Energy Efficiency Program. The check was issued to Oakland County by DTE for the WRC’s successful participation in the energy efficiency program for business and industry that rewards investment in long-term energy efficiency projects. According to the letter from DTE, efforts of WRC’s operations at the Pontiac wastewater treatment facility at 155 N. Opdyke Road in Pontiac will reduce energy consumption for many years to come.
The facility improvements made to reduce energy consumption include replacing existing tertiary system pumping with variable frequency drive (VFD) pumps allowing low power consumption when the full capacity of the pump is not required and replacing high power consuming lights with high performance low wattage lights.
WRC made news across Michigan in 2014 when it announced that it was using a form of thermal heat recovery from sewage to heat the Commerce Township Wastewater Treatment Plant. This first of its kind in the state operation is saving ratepayers up to $50,000 a year in reduced natural gas costs.
“We are dedicated to using the newest cutting edge and green technology anywhere we can to save money, reduce energy use, increase efficiency, and protect the environment,” said Jim Nash, Oakland County Water Resources Commissioner.
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