DETROIT – Residents on Detroit’s east side are once again reporting a strong, sewer-like odor. That stench has been nicknamed the “Gratiot odor” by some neighbors. Some people say the foul odor seeps into homes and makes people feel nauseated.
Some neighbors describe the smell as overpowering and persistent.
“It is really, really, strong,” said one neighbor. “It’s really, really, bad. It’s like a sewer kind of smell.”
“Sometimes, the odor gets so strong you walk out, it doesn’t matter if you have your doors open or closed — it still seeps into your homes,” another resident said.
Community organizer Mrs. Dee said the scent can be physically affecting.
“Soon as it hits you, it’s like nauseating. Making your stomach turn, and it sticks with you,” she said. “We’re not getting a whole lot of answers. We’re getting bounced around a lot. But we’re really concerned for our health.”
After some residents initially complained to Local 4 in September 2024, the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) said crews had identified sewer-related odors and were coordinating with the City of Detroit. Since then, responsibility for the work has involved multiple regional agencies, including the Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD), the Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) and the Oakland Macomb Interceptor Drain Drainage District.
The Oakland Macomb Interceptor Drain Drainage District issued the following:
Temporary odor impacts are being reported because of necessary flow diversions during an ongoing sewer rehabilitation project. Crews are cleaning and lining an existing 12-foot diameter regional sewer pipe to extend its life and strengthen the system, which requires rerouting sanitary flow to other sections of the regional system in partnership with the Great Lakes Water Authority.
Why This Work Matters
The project is repairing a section of pipe that collectively receives flow from more than 1 million residents from Macomb County, Oakland County, and the City of Detroit.
The upgrades will help maintain the performance of the larger Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (DWSD) and Great Lakes Water Authority (GLWA) regional systems.
Sewer lining is a cost-effective and environmentally responsible rehabilitation method that prevents system failures and improves long-term reliability.
Odor Concerns
Cause: Odors are a temporary byproduct of rerouting sanitary flow during construction.
Response: Engineers are actively evaluating advancements and mitigation strategies to reduce odor impacts in cooperation with the Great Lakes Water Authority.
Regional Collaboration
This project demonstrates the importance of regional cooperation to: