Bronte Wells
The Grand River, which winds through Grand Rapids, is known for its brown, murky colour, leading many to question the safety and cleanliness of its water. While the river has historically faced issues with sewage overflow and bacterial spikes, community efforts and green infrastructure initiatives have improved water quality over the years. Recent measurements indicate that the Grand River's water quality is good, with ratings ranging from the 70s to 80s on the Water Quality Index. However, some researchers, such as McMaster University Professor Dawn Martin-Hill, have expressed concerns about contamination in the river, particularly regarding high levels of mercury, arsenic, chromium, and aluminum. These conflicting perspectives highlight the ongoing discussions and efforts to ensure the Grand River's cleanliness and safety for the surrounding communities.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Colour | Brown and murky |
| Water Quality Index | 70-73 |
| Water Quality | Safe to play in most of the year |
| Sources of Pollution | Sewage overflow, road salts, oil and grease, fertilizers, bacteria, mercury, arsenic, chromium, aluminium |
| Initiatives to Improve Water Quality | Green infrastructure, sewer improvements, water quality monitoring |
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What You'll Learn
The Grand River's water quality
The Grand River, which gives Grand Rapids its name, has a brown, murky appearance as it winds its way through the city. Despite its appearance, the river's water quality is largely good, thanks to decades of work by the city.
The brown colour is due to naturally occurring sediment in runoff from nearby lands, including streets, fields and yards. This sediment is not harmful and does not indicate unsafe water quality. However, during storms, runoff can cause temporary spikes in bacteria levels.
For over 40 years, the City of Grand Rapids has been monitoring water quality by taking samples at various points along the river and measuring variables such as pH, dissolved oxygen and E. coli. These measurements are combined into a weighted equation, resulting in a Water Quality Index rating on a scale of 1-100, with 70 or above considered good water quality. In 2019, the average Water Quality Index for the Grand River was 73, indicating good water quality.
Initiatives to improve water quality have included sewer improvements and green infrastructure implementations. In the 1990s, combined sewers that carried both sewage and stormwater were separated, and new pipelines were installed. As a result, by 2014, no raw, untreated sewage was flowing into the Grand River. Green infrastructure, such as rain gardens and porous pavement, helps capture and soak up water, reducing runoff and allowing natural filtration through the ground. These efforts have contributed to the overall improvement in water quality over time.
However, it is important to note that some concerns about contaminants in the Grand River have been raised. An award-winning Indigenous McMaster professor, Dawn Martin-Hill, has stated that the river is full of contaminants, with research finding high levels of mercury, arsenic, chromium and aluminium. This highlights the need for continued efforts to improve and maintain water quality in the Grand River.
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The river's brown colour
The Grand River, which gives Grand Rapids its name, has a brown, murky colour. This colour is caused by the naturally-occurring sediment in the runoff that feeds the river. The runoff comes from nearby lands, including streets, fields and yards. While the colour may suggest to locals that the river is polluted, the water quality is in fact good, and the river is largely safe to play in.
The brown colour of the river is not caused by sewage overflow, as many people believe. In the past, sewage overflow has contaminated the river. For example, in 1969, 12.6 billion gallons of raw, untreated sewage flowed into the river. However, since the late 1980s, Grand Rapids has been working to close off the combined sewage overflow points. In 1991, the city began separating storm and sanitation sewers and installing new pipelines. As a result of these initiatives, no raw sewage flowed into the river in 2014.
The city has also implemented green infrastructure to improve water quality and minimise runoff. This includes rain gardens, rain barrels, green roofs, bioswales, and porous pavement, which capture or soak up water. The city installs this infrastructure on public land projects whenever possible and works with partners to implement practices on private lands. Through projects like the Vital Streets Program, the city ensures that water is filtered through the ground, rather than being sent through pipes into the river.
In addition to green infrastructure, the city has been measuring the Water Quality Index for the past 40 years. They take water samples from various spots along the river and measure multiple variables, including pH, dissolved oxygen, and E. coli. These measurements are combined into a weighted equation, which produces a rating on a scale of 1-100. A rating of 70 or higher indicates good water quality. In 2019, the average water quality index in the Grand River was 73, suggesting that the river's water quality is good, despite its brown colour.
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The impact of sewage overflow
The Grand River, which winds its way through Grand Rapids, has a brown, murky appearance that may lead some to believe it is polluted. While the river has historically experienced sewage overflows, the water quality has improved significantly in recent years.
For decades, combined sewage overflow points were a significant issue, with sanitary and stormwater pipes connected, resulting in untreated sewage ending up in the river during heavy rains. Since the late 1980s, Grand Rapids has worked diligently to address this problem, investing over $400 million and successfully eliminating combined sewage overflow points by 2015.
Despite these improvements, occasional sewage spills still occur due to malfunctions or construction issues. For instance, in November 2017, a piping issue at the Spring Lake pump station resulted in 85,000 gallons of raw sewage being discharged into the Grand River. In September 2017, a power outage at the Grand Haven sewage treatment plant led to the release of about 830,000 gallons of sanitary sewage. These incidents highlight the ongoing challenges of managing sewage systems and maintaining water quality.
The City of Grand Rapids has implemented various measures to improve water quality and reduce the impact of sewage overflows. They have adopted a "green infrastructure" approach, incorporating natural methods to filter and clean water. This includes projects like the Vital Streets Program, expanding parks, and utilizing rain gardens, porous pavement, and bioswales to capture and soak up water, preventing it from entering the river untreated.
The city's efforts have been successful, with the Water Quality Index score for the Grand River reaching approximately 70, indicating good water quality. The Environmental Services Department provides transparent data access through an online map, and future initiatives like the Smart Watershed Initiative will offer real-time data, enhancing the understanding of water quality trends and the impact of rainfall and runoff.
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Green infrastructure and its effects
The Grand River has been the subject of various initiatives to improve its water quality and reduce pollution. While the river's brown colour may suggest that it is polluted, this is a natural occurrence due to the sediment in the runoff from nearby lands. The City of Grand Rapids has been actively working to improve the river's health through sewer improvement projects, green infrastructure, and water quality monitoring.
Green infrastructure plays a crucial role in improving water quality and reducing pollution in the Grand River. It involves implementing natural systems and practices to treat stormwater and reduce its negative impact on the river. By capturing or soaking up stormwater closer to where it falls, green infrastructure prevents it from flowing directly into the river, carrying pollutants such as road salts, oil, grease, fertilizers, and other contaminants.
One example of green infrastructure is porous pavement, which replaces traditional driveways and parking lots. This type of pavement increases infiltration and reduces polluted runoff by allowing stormwater to infiltrate the ground instead of flowing into the river. Bio-retention cells, such as rain gardens or swales, also capture stormwater runoff from streets and curb systems, allowing it to infiltrate the ground and be filtered by native plants.
Another practice is the use of cisterns or rain barrels, which capture and store rainwater from roofs and gutter systems. Trees also play a vital role in green infrastructure, offering benefits such as stormwater infiltration, improved air quality, lower urban temperatures, and the creation of valuable habitats. Together, these practices help protect and restore the health of the Grand River and its surrounding ecosystem.
The Lower Grand River Organization of Watersheds (LGROW) is actively involved in promoting green infrastructure in the region. Through partnerships and education initiatives, LGROW works with local communities, schools, and organizations to raise awareness about stormwater management and the importance of green infrastructure. LGROW's "Natural Connections Map" illustrates the regional green infrastructure framework, showcasing the potential for an interconnected network of habitats that supports native plant and animal species while enhancing the quality of life for local communities.
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The river's safety for recreational use
The Grand River, which winds through the city of Grand Rapids, is a brown, murky colour that may give the impression that it is polluted. However, according to the City of Grand Rapids, the river contains good quality water, and its colour is natural.
For over 40 years, the city has been measuring the Water Quality Index by taking water samples from various spots along the river and measuring multiple variables, including pH, dissolved oxygen, and E. coli. These measurements are then put into a weighted equation, which produces a rating on a scale of 1-100. A score of 70 or higher indicates good water quality. In 2019, the average water quality index in the Grand River was 73, indicating that the river is safe for recreational use.
The Grand River's brown colour is largely due to naturally occurring sediment in runoff from nearby lands, including streets, fields, and yards. While the sediment does not pose a health risk, spikes in bacteria can occasionally occur after storms. However, these high concentrations are usually short-lived.
The City of Grand Rapids has implemented several initiatives to improve water quality and ensure its safety for recreational use. One key initiative is the separation of storm and sanitation sewers, which has successfully prevented the flow of raw, untreated sewage into the river. The city has also installed green infrastructure, such as rain gardens, rain barrels, green roofs, bioswales, and porous pavement, to capture or soak up water and reduce runoff. These efforts have contributed to the overall improvement in water quality over time.
While the Grand River is generally safe for recreational use, it is important to be aware of potential short-lived spikes in bacteria levels after storms. It is also worth noting that, despite improvements, some contaminants may still be present in the water, as indicated by a 2017 research project by McMaster University, which found high levels of mercury, arsenic, chromium, and aluminum in the water.
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Frequently asked questions
The Grand River has been subject to pollution in the past, with 12.6 billion gallons of raw, untreated sewage flowing into the river in 1969. However, initiatives to improve the water quality have been implemented, and the river's water quality is now rated as "good".
Since the late 1980s, the City of Grand Rapids has been working to separate combined sewage overflow points, ensuring that stormwater and sanitary pipes are no longer connected. This has prevented the flow of raw sewage into the river, with zero gallons reported in 2014. The city has also invested in green infrastructure, such as rain gardens and porous pavement, to capture and soak up water, reducing runoff and naturally filtering rainwater.
The Grand River's water quality is considered good, with a Water Quality Index rating of 70 or above. The City of Grand Rapids has been measuring the Water Quality Index for over 40 years by taking water samples at various spots along the river and measuring variables such as pH, dissolved oxygen, and E. coli. The river is largely fed by runoff from nearby lands, which gives it a brown color, but this does not indicate unsafe conditions.
