Far West Detroit Stormwater Improvement Project

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Project Overview

The Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) has completed the Far West Detroit Stormwater Improvement Project, a major investment in the Far West Detroit neighborhood, also known as Parkland, to improve aging water and sewer infrastructure and better manage stormwater during heavy rain.

As part of the project, DWSD installed a new storm sewer network to collect some of the rain and snowmelt from the neighborhood and carry it to two stormwater detention basins in Rouge Park. The basins temporarily hold the stormwater, allowing it to slow down and naturally filter before flowing into the Rouge River.

Redirecting some stormwater through the new network reduces the amount of rainwater entering the combined sewer system. This creates more capacity in the existing sewer system during heavy rain, helping reduce the risk of basement backups and combined sewer overflows while improving water quality in the Rouge River.

The project also included significant upgrades to the neighborhood's existing water and sewer infrastructure.

Project Goals:

  1. Meet State permit requirements for reductions in stormwater runoff to sewers
  2. Reduce sewage overflows to the Rouge River
  3. Improve the water quality of the Rouge River

Project Improvements: 

The Far West Detroit Stormwater Improvement Project included:

  • Approximately 25,000 feet of new storm sewer and drainage piping
  • Two stormwater detention basins in Rouge Park
  • More than 180 residential downspout disconnections
  • Approximately 15,000 feet of water main replacement
  • More than 500 water service replacements
  • Approximately 20,000 feet of sewer lining and repairs
  • Repairs to manholes and catch basins throughout the project area

Together, these improvements strengthen the neighborhood's water and sewer infrastructure and provide additional capacity to manage stormwater during wet weather.

Stormwater Improvements in Rouge Park

Two stormwater detention basins were constructed in Rouge Park to manage stormwater collected by the new storm sewer network.

During rain and snowmelt, some stormwater from the Far West Detroit neighborhood is collected through the new network and carried to the basins. The basins temporarily store the water, allowing it to slow down and naturally filter before flowing into the Rouge River.

Native Michigan plants and natural landscaping surrounding the basins also help filter stormwater while allowing the improvements to fit naturally within Rouge Park.

Project Benefits

The completed project:

  • Reduces the amount of stormwater entering the combined sewer system
  • Creates additional capacity in the combined sewer system during heavy rain
  • Helps reduce the risk of basement backups
  • Helps reduce combined sewer overflows into the Rouge River
  • Improves the quality of stormwater flowing into the Rouge River
  • Replaces and rehabilitates aging water and sewer infrastructure
  • Improves how stormwater is managed in the Far West Detroit neighborhood

Project Timeline

  • 2018-2019:                      Design and analysis
  • 2020:                               Community engagement and input; final design
  • Fall 2021:                         Contract awarded
  • Spring 2022:                  Construction starts (see fact sheet)
  • Construction Phase 1
    • Fall 2022:                        Water main replacement various streets (ongoing through 2025-2026)
    • Fall 2022:                         South basin construction
    • Fall 2022-2023:               Rouge Park sewer
    • Spring 2023:                   North basin construction
  • Construction Phases 2, 3 and 4
    • Storm and sanitary sewer work on Majestic and Sawyer in 2023-2024
    • Half-width construction on adjacent streets in 2024-2025
    • Final sanitary sewer rehabilitation and repairs in 2026

Community Engagement & Meetings

Community input was an important part of the Far West Detroit Stormwater Improvement Project from planning through construction.

DWSD began meeting with community leaders in 2019 and hosted the first neighborhood-wide project meeting in February 2020. Throughout design and construction, DWSD held community meetings to share project updates, answer questions and gather resident input, including feedback on the design and landscaping of the stormwater improvements in Rouge Park.