(WWJ) The head of the Great Lakes Water Authority says there were challenges at pumping stations, but no complete failure of the system during the heavy rain and subsequent flooding last weekend.
GLWA Chief Executive Officer Sue McCormick is trying to dispel rumors about what did and did not go wrong as residents continue cleanup from the historic flooding event in Detroit and other parts of Wayne County.
Speaking to reporters on Friday, McCormick acknowledged that not all pumps were working at two east side pumping stations when the storms stuck, but she couldn't say how much of an impact that had on the flooding.
McCormick explained a power outage hindered operations at one pumping station. She said there were also problems at the Conner Creek pumping station, which is mentioned in a class action lawsuit filed by Detroit and Grosse Pointe residents.
However, she said the station was, in fact, operational and was properly staffed.
"There's an impression out there that the Conner Creek station failed, that the station did not operate... and that's not true," McCormick said. "We were able to have two pumps on at all times. We were able to have five pumps on during the duration of the storm."
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As nearly 7 inches of rain came down in a matter of hours, McCormick said it would have been nearly impossible to completely stop what state officials have described as a 500-year flooding event.
"Could there have been an impact? I'm guessing likely," she said. "Could there have been prevention, 100% prevention of the flooding we saw? I don't think in my wildest dreams. I think these combined sewer systems were so overwhelmed that I don't know that certaily prevention, 100% prevention... I don't believe that was possible."
McCormick said there will be both internal and independent investigations into the operations at the pumping stations.
The authority plans to spend $1.7 billion in the next five years on capital improvements.
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