Wayne County Launches Significant Stormwater Management Plan
Published on September 10, 2025
Wayne County Launches Significant 43-Community Work in Stormwater Management
WAYNE COUNTY, MI - Wayne County has officially launched a broad, coordinated effort to strengthen the county's stormwater management system. The project's action phase began last week as crews focused on street sweeping and catch basin cleaning. In the first week alone, 94 miles of roadway were swept, and 235 catch basins were cleaned. Work will continue throughout the season before pausing for winter road maintenance.
Initiated by Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans, this strategic plan is guided by community-driven service requests and applies a six-prong approach to maximize both resources and results:
- Street Sweeping - Seasonal sweeping cycles of roadways prevent debris from entering the stormwater system, reducing the risk of catch basin blockages and improving drainage efficiency ahead of storm events.
- Catch Basin Cleaning - Cleaning, inspecting, and televising catch basins and connected storm sewer lines help remove built-up sediment and debris, allowing stormwater to flow freely into the drainage system and minimize flooding.
- Detention Pond Maintenance - Supporting the maintenance of detention ponds ensures they function as intended to temporarily store stormwater and slow runoff, reducing the risk of downstream flooding.
- Roadside Ditching - Restoring and maintaining roadside ditches controls vegetation and reduces sediment and debris from entering storm sewer systems, ensuring proper water flow across the drainage network.
- County Drain Maintenance - Maintaining county drains preserves flow in the drain channel and reduces obstructions.
- Pump House Rehabilitation - Upgrading pump houses with larger capacity pumps, modern electrical systems, backup generators, and remote monitoring technology improves flood response and operational reliability.
With a budget of just over $70 million – including qualifying Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery Funds – the project is planned to continue through winter 2027, followed by ongoing maintenance.
The scale of this stormwater management project is significant. Wayne County maintains over 50,000 catch basins, 1,643 centerline miles for street sweeping and roadside ditching, and 32 pump houses. Additionally, the County’s drain portfolio includes 111 municipal drains, 23 intercounty drains, and 483 additional drains.
“This project is a direct result of the communication that Wayne County leadership has heard from its residents and communities,” said Wayne County Executive Warren C. Evans. “With winter months and severe weather coming, I considered it a priority to tackle anticipated stormwater issues for the long term.”
In parallel, Wayne County crews are advancing an initiative to close out community driven service requests.
Wayne County Public Services Director Oladayo Akinyemi noted the impact of these efforts as they efficiently address both the countywide service requests and crucial stormwater management issues. “Our teams have worked collaboratively with each other and also with other communities’ leadership to make this work as effective as possible,” he said. “We are focused on improving our processes in order to upscale and maximize the results as we go.”
FOR MORE INFORMATION
- Contact the 24-hour customer service center at 888.ROAD.CREW (888-762-3273)
ABOUT WAYNE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SERVICES
The Department of Public Services consists of six divisions, which include Administration, Engineering, Equipment, Parks, Roads Maintenance, and Environmental Services. The Department oversees, maintains, and operates the county's unique assets and complex infrastructure for nearly 2 million residents.
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