- Departments
- Water Reclamation
- Concept 5 Sewer Improvements
Concept 5 Sewer Improvements
Please note: For a history of the City's Storm & Sanitary Sewer Study following the 2017 & 2020 flooding events and all flood-related work completed to date, please visit the Flood Response page. This page discusses the Concept 5 Sewer Improvement Plan only.
What is Concept 5?
The Concept 5 Sewer Improvement Plan is a $48 million project designed to address sewer and lift station capacities during wet weather events in the city. Through this work, we aim to reduce clean water infiltration into the sewer system and basement backups into residents' homes in impacted areas of the city. This project will allow for the system to convey flows during a design rain event of a 25-year, 24-hour event, ultimately reducing the risk of surcharging sewers and basement backups. The work done through Concept 5 will not mitigate overland flooding or basement flooding from non-sewer sources.
Given the history of flooding events, particularly the devastating events in 2017 and 2020, this project is a critical component to addressing current and future infrastructure needs and protecting the health and safety of residents and their property. The Concept 5 Plan was approved by the Midland City Council in March 2021. Click here to watch the meeting (discussion begins at the 5:30 mark).
Construction bids for the first phase of improvements were awarded by the Midland City Council on August 22, 2022. Click here to watch the meeting (discussion begins at the 2:05:00 mark).
Click the button below to read the Concept 5 Sewer Improvement Plan (PDF). Continue reading or scroll down to view project updates for 2023 and beyond.
What's Involved in Concept 5?
Click the image above to view a larger map
Concept 5 will improve the sanitary sewer collection system through a variety of projects including increasing the sizes of certain sewers, adding off-line sanitary sewage storage, repairing structurally defective sewer pipes, and disconnecting footing drains from the sanitary sewer system in certain areas.
The map listed above is a tentative timeline of key elements in the Concept 5 Sewer Improvement Plan. The larger map and box in the top left corner provide details on infrastructure improvements including new pipe installation, existing pipe lining and repair, and the installation of a 1 million-gallon underground storage area at the Sylvan pumpstation. Use the legend in the top right corner to see the projects color-coded by estimated implementation year. The smaller callout boxes detail phasing and property boundaries for two Footing Drain Disconnection Programs (FDDP) in the Moorland and Whitewood neighborhoods.
Project Updates
The Concept 5 Sewer Improvement Plan is a series of ongoing projects occurring in succession - or, sometimes, at the same time! In the tabbed boxes below, you'll find information related to each individual project that includes work outlined in the plan. To sign up for relevant, frequent communication about updates on a specific project, please sign up for our email list by clicking the button below.
- Sanitary Sewer Lining
- Sylvan Offline Storage Basin
- Footing Drain Disconnection Program
- Perrine to Sugnet Pipe Upsizing
- Moorland Area Street Reconstructions
- Whitewood Area Street Reconstructions
Citywide Sewer Lining Project
Project Start Date: November 2022
Estimated Completion Date: December 2023
Purpose: Remove inflow & infiltration from sanitary sewer network; Extend infrastructure lifespan
Beginning in November 2022, crews from Insituform will install cured-in-place pipe lining in City sewer lines that is intended to repair existing cracks, reduce inflow and infiltration (I&I), and extend the overall life of the sewer system.
Lining crews began working in the northwest corner of the city and will move from west to east in quadrants until all areas have been completed. Ahead of lining placement, crews from Monchilov Sewer Services will clean City sewer lines to prepare the area for work. This process is estimated to take approximately 12 months to complete.
Contractors will be communicate directly with residents in areas where the work is being performed. Residents will receive a door hanger (below) from the contractor before work is performed.
Map of Sewer Lining Areas with Lining Locations
Click the image above to view a larger map and a quadrant-by-quadrant breakdown of locations (PDF).
Sylvan Offline Storage Basin in Russell Park
Project Start Date: December 2022
Estimated Completion Date: October 2023
Purpose: Increase sanitary sewer capacity; Improve flow conveyance
In December 2022, the City of Midland began construction of an offline sanitary sewer storage basin located undergroundin the Russell Park lawn area near the Sylvan lift station on Sylvan Lane. This basin will be designed to receive and hold up to 1 million gallons of sanitary sewer wastewater when flows are very high due to significant rain events or high groundwater levels. This will reduce strain on the sanitary sewer system during major events. As flows return to normal levels, the basin will drain back to the sanitary sewer system.
After construction and restoration is complete, Russell Park will return to its normal state and the basin will be mostly unnoticeable to park visitors with the exception of seven (7) visible locked access hatches and concrete lids for the below-grade structures near the existing lift station.
Footing Drain Disconnection Program
Latest update:
Public-side infrastructure updates on Whitewood Phase 1 began in May 2023 and are anticipated to be completed in November 2024, about 6 months ahead of schedule. Phase II will begin in 2024.
Click here for more information.
Project Start Date: Summer 2023
Estimated Completion Date: December 2027
Purpose: Remove inflow & infiltration from sanitary sewer network; Mitigate sewer back-ups
The City of Midland has proposed a footing drain disconnection program for approximately 370 homes spread out over two neighborhoods: Moorland and Whitewood. Work is anticipated to begin in 2023 and, through a phased approach, be completed in 2027. Watch the video above for more information on this project.
A footing drain disconnection program (FDDP) aims to remove clean water from the sanitary sewer system by removing the existing connection between a home's footing drains and the sanitary sewer and redirecting that water to the storm sewer system. (A footing drain is a series of pipes around and under your home that moves groundwater and stormwater away from your foundation to prevent it from entering your home.)
Prior to 1987, homes in Midland were often built to connect their footing drains to the sanitary sewer system. The result: 1) The City's sanitary sewer system becoming overwhemled with water that shouldn't be there, particularly during heavy rain events, which causes sewer back-ups into homes; and 2) the Wastewater Treatment Plant unnecessarily treating clean storm water, which increases wear-and-tear on plant equipment, and increased operational costs, which result in higher rates for utility payers.
Frequently Asked Questions about FDDP
If you're a resident in a neighborhood impacted by the Footing Drain Disconnection Program, click here for more information that's relevent to you.
Perrine Road to Sugnet Road Sewer Pipe Upsizing
Project Start Date: March 2023
Estimated Completion Date: June 2024 November 2023!
Purpose: Increase sanitary sewer capacity; Improve flow conveyance
This project will increase the size of 8,000+ linear feet of sanitary sewer pipe along Perrine Road, Saginaw Road, Main Street, and W. Sugnet Road. This pipe upsizing will coincide with street reconstruction and water main replacement work, with road closures and construction activities similar to any other City road construction project.
As this is an extensive project spanning multiple construction seasons, work will be completed in phases as outlined below:
Phase 1 (Completed September 2023): Sugnet Road from W. Main Steet to Valley Drive. Sugnet Road will be closed to through traffic and local traffic will be maintained for the duration of construction in this phase. More info here.
Phase 2 (Completed August 2023): W. Main Street from Sugnet Road to Saginaw Road. Main Street will be closed to through traffic and local traffic will be maintained for the duration of construction in this phase. More info here.
Phase 3 (Completed August 2023): Saginaw Road from W. Main Street to Perrine Road. One lane of both eastbound and westbound traffic on Saginaw Road will be closed. One lane each direction will be maintained for through traffic, with both lanes shifted to utilize the south side of Saginaw Road.
Phase 4 (Started July 17, 2023 - estimated completion November 2023): Perrine Road from Saginaw Road to Moorland Drive. Perrine Road will be closed to through traffic and local traffic will be maintained for the duration of construction in this phase. Through traffic on Perrien will be detoured using Saginaw Road, Dublin Avenue, and W. Wackerly Street.
Map of Project Locations & Upsizing
Moorland Area Street Reconstructions
Project Start Date: April 2023
Estimated Completion Date: November 2025
Purpose: Increase storm sewer capacity; Improve water distribution infrastructure; Improve street network
This project will improve the storm sewer and water distribution systems and street network for the neighborhoods in the Moorland pumping district area. This work will include road closures and other construction activities similar to any other City road construction project.
Please keep in mind: While this construction complements Concept 5’s Footing Drain Disconnection Program (FDDP), this is not the finalized FDDP work. Residents who see this construction work in their area may not be a part of the FDDP program. You can learn more on this separate program via the tab above.
As this is an extensive project spanning multiple construction seasons, work will be completed in phases as outlined below.
Tentative Construction Schedule (Please note: This information is subject to change)
2023
- Moorland Drive (Woodbridge – Pine Meadow Drive): March – July
- Berry Court: March – May
- Grouse Court: March – May
- Woodbridge Lane (Moorland – Partridge): May – June
- Partridge Lane (Woodbridge – Pinewood): June – September
- Brambleridge Lane (Partridge – Sutton Place): June – July
- Partridge Lane (Pinewood Drive – Wackerly): September – October
- Pinewood Drive (Pinewood Court): September – November
2024*
- Oakridge Drive (Partridge east to curve): March – June
- Oakridge Drive (Partridge west to Dublin): July – October
- Chicory Court and Briarwood Court: July – October
* Please note: Project Year 2024 has the least amount of scheduled construction work, so work may begin later and end earlier than the schedule provided.
2025
- Pine Meadow Drive (Moorland to west of Butternut Place): March – May
- Butternut Place: April – May
- Warblers Way Drive (from ~500 feet west of Pine Meadow Drive): April – June
- Moorland Court: June – July
- Dublin Avenue (Oakridge – Wackerly): July – September
- Wackerly Street (Dublin to east of Partridge): August – November
For more detailed information and regular updates on these construction projects, please scroll up and click on the purple "Sign up for project updates" button.
Whitewood Area Street Reconstructions
Latest update:
Whitewood Drive street reconstruction and public-side FDDP work begins May 15! Click here for more information.
Project Start Date: May 2023
Estimated Completion Date: November 2024
Purpose: Increase storm sewer capacity; Improve water distribution infrastructure; Improve street network
This project will improve the storm sewer and water distribution systems and street network for the neighborhoods in the Whitewood pumping district area. This work will include road closures and other construction activities similar to any other City road construction project.
Please keep in mind: While this construction complements Concept 5’s Footing Drain Disconnection Program (FDDP), this is not the finalized FDDP work. Residents who see this construction work in their area may not be a part of the FDDP program. You can learn more on this separate program via the tab above.
As this is an extensive project spanning multiple construction seasons, work will be completed in phases as outlined below.
Tentative Construction Schedule (Please note: This information is subject to change)
2023
- Whitewood Drive: Construction begins May 15 through end of July.
- Travis Court: July – August
- Mt. Vernon Court: July – August
- Plymouth Street (Congress to Liberty): August – September
- Colony Drive: August – September
- Congress Drive: August – September
- Mt. Vernon Drive: September – October
- Waldo Avenue: October
2024
- Forestview Drive
- Georgetown Drive
- Jamestown Drive
- Plymouth Street (Forestview – Congress)
For more detailed information and regular updates on these construction projects, please scroll up and click on the purple "Sign up for project updates" button.