Bellaire Residents Asked to Reduce Water Use Temporarily

A Few Simple Steps to Help Ease the Burden on the Wastewater System

The Health Department of Northwest Michigan (HDNW) is advising residents to follow the Village of Bellaire’s recommendations to limit water use to essential needs only. Recent rainfall and extreme groundwater saturation have caused capacity issues within the Village’s sanitary sewer collection system and wastewater treatment plant.
“The recent weather conditions have placed a significant strain on Bellaire’s wastewater system,” says Jeremy Fruk, Environmental Health Director at HDNW. “The Village of Bellaire is asking all residents and businesses to limit water use. Community cooperation is critical to protecting public health and the environment.”
To manage the excess flow and reduce strain on the system, the wastewater treatment plant is temporarily bypassing a portion of the treatment process. As a result, partially treated wastewater is being discharged into surrounding wetlands.
How You Can Help:
  • Limit water use to essential needs only:
    • Flushing toilets,
    • Basic sanitation (hand washing, minimal hygiene),
    • Cooking-related water use.
  • Disconnect sump pumps from the sewer collection system.
Ways to Reduce Water Usage:
  • Avoid long showers or baths,
  • Do not run laundry,
  • Avoid any non-essential water use that drains into the sewer system.
For Your Safety:
  • Do not enter or come in contact with affected water,
  • Do not fish or consume any fish from Lake Bellaire and surrounding areas.
The Village of Bellaire will provide updates as conditions improve. To stay informed on local public health updates, consider subscribing to our monthly newsletter by clicking here.