Michigan Water Utility Takes Emergency Action

From June 5, 1992 (update #13)

MUSKEGON HEIGHTS, Mich. - The Muskegon Heights city water utility suffered a 20-25 percent decrease in maximum intake capacity this spring due to zebra mussel infestation, according to utility Operations Foreman Dave Freye. Customer demand was near the maximum capacity of the utility's clogged 30- inch water intake pipe in Lake Michigan, Freye said, and this prompted the utility to open an emergency intake to maintain unrestricted service to all utility customers. Zebra mussels first began showing up in the plant's shore well last fall, he said, and planning for installation of a chemical feed line was underway when the reduction in flow occurred this spring. Freye said bids have already been let for the $207,000 feed line installation, which is due to begin this month.

ID: 19920605-5.

The Zebra Mussel Update was a 4- to 8-page quarterly national newsletter published by the University of Wisconsin Sea Grant Institute from May 1990 through May 1997. The ZMU documented the spread of the zebra mussel -- an exotic nuisance mussel -- through North America's freshwater environments, especially the Great Lakes, and on efforts to control it.