DETROIT (WWJ) -- Many Detroiters are still cleaning up after several rounds of heavy storms throughout the summer caused widespread flooding and damage to homes.
But officials with the Detroit Department of Public Works have set a deadline for residents to get their debris and garbage to the curb -- Sept. 3.
Doug Collins, Superintendent of Solid Waste with the DPW, tells WWJ Detroiters have until Friday to get any more debris out to the curb.
“We’re trying to get the word out now to the residents that as of Sept. 3, we’re going to be done with the debris removal for flooded basements and it’s going to be back to business as normal,” Collins told WWJ.
He says garbage crews have been working six to seven days a week over the past two months, already picking up more than 60 million lbs. of flood debris as the city continues to recover from the floods.
An estimated 20,000 homes in Detroit experienced flooding in late June when heavy storms soaked the area, causing flooding in many basements, and often leaving basements a mess.
More flooding hit the area over the weekend when more storms hit the city, with several freeway closures necessary on Friday afternoon. More than 25,000 DTE Energy customers lost power this time around, but that number had dropped to about 4,000 for the entire service territory, as of Sunday morning.
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Collins says the DPW is committed to keeping the city clean and trying to help the residents as much as possible.
The city will return to normal bulk waste disposal operations on Sept. 4 and officials say they will return to enforcing fines.
Officials provided a full list of details on bulk debris removal on the city’s website:
-- Now through September 3 DPW will sweep through City to remove all bulk debris that remains
-- Beginning September 4, enforcement of fees and fines will begin
-- After September 3, residents can call (313) 876-0004 or use Improve Detroit App under Bulk Pickup to request curbside pickup
-- Bulk items should be no more than 1,000 pounds and not exceed two cubic yards in volume
-- All items must be dragged to the curbside of the residence they were removed from and NOT to any other location.
-- All doors must be removed from appliances prior to setting them out for collection.
-- Construction debris, household hazardous waste, flammables, explosives, paint, batteries, fuels, oil, tires, car parts, needles, radioactive materials and chemicals are not considered bulk items.
The city also provided examples how to dispose of debris, and how not to:
Correct way to dispose of bulk debris:
Incorrect way to dispose of bulk debris:
