FALL 2015
Emergency alert mistakenly reported in the media
In September, a boil-water alert issued for another Washtenaw County
community was mistakenly reported in the media as affecting residents
within Ann Arbor. The city quickly had the report corrected, however, in
the meantime, some residents were confused.
So how would you know if an incident occurred that required you to boil
your water before use?
The City of Ann Arbor provides residents with emergency alerts, such
as boil-water advisories, in several ways. Most notably, the CodeRED
emergency telephone system is used for mass emergency notifications to
reach residents and businesses when an emergency or a potential hazard
is in effect, such as a boil-water alert. Text, cell phone, home phone and
even emails are the CodeRED options.
In addition to CodeRED, when a boil-water alert is issued by the City of
Ann Arbor — or any other emergency or urgent event occurs — the city employs various methods, including:
• Emergency messages would appear on the city’s Facebook page (facebook.com/TheCityOfAnnArbor) and Twitter feed (@a2gov)
• An e-notification would be sent to all city subscribers. Visit a2gov.org/subscribe to sign up.
• Information would be posted on the city website, a2gov.org
• Residents with any questions may call the Ann Arbor Water Treatment Plant at 734.994.2840 or the Ann Arbor Customer Service Center
at 734.794.6320 Monday–Friday, 8 a.m.–5 p.m. If a boil-water advisory is in effect, the customer service center phone number would
also provide details via an automated message.
• CTN would broadcast the emergency message on channels 16, 17, 18 and 19.
If you aren’t already, be sure to sign up and follow each of these city outlets to ensure you are informed!
Suggestions for keeping up with fall leaves
Keeping fallen leaves off the street and out of storm drains helps prevent
street flooding. That is why leaves that fall on your property, including
sidewalks, must be bagged or placed into optional compost carts by the
owner or resident and not placed in the street. Both carts and compost
bags are serviced by crews during the compost collection season which
runs through the first week of December.
Raking isn’t the only option. Consider:
• Using a mulching mower to provide your lawn with needed nutrients.
• Mowing over leaves with mower bag attached, which can then be
emptied into paper yard waste bags or compost cart.
• Running your leaf blower in reverse, if available, vacuuming up leaves
to be disposed of.
• Building your own compost pile
Contact Us! 734.794.6333 • [email protected] • P.O. Box 8647, Ann Arbor, MI 48107-8647 • www.a2gov.org
City of Ann Arbor fall leaf drop-off options
Compost Center
Free, unlimited leaf drop off is available from city residents, Ann Arbor commercial properties, and/or their contracted landscapers/
haulers between Oct. 15 and Dec. 19, 2015, at the Ann Arbor Compost Center, 4150 Platt Road, open weekdays, 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
(734.794.6380). Visitors must show proof of Ann Arbor residency (driver's license or current water bill). Free drop off is for Ann Arbor
leaves only. For current pricing on yard waste or material visit: wecareorganics.com/annarborinstructions.htm
Drop-Off Station
A limited amount of leaves and yard waste (up to 1 cubic yard, about six yard waste bags), can be dropped off, for free, year round at
Recycle Ann Arbor's Drop-Off Station, 2950 E. Ellsworth, 734.971.7400, open Tuesday and Thursday, 8:30 a.m.–6:30 p.m. and Saturday, 9
a.m.–6 p.m. For Ann Arbor residents only, must show proof of residency with current water bill or driver’s license. For more information
on the Drop-Off Station, please visit recycleannarbor.org.
Leaf burning: Bad for our health and illegal.
Burning leaves produces particulate matter which can increase chances of respiratory infection, reduce lung capacity and trigger asthma
attacks. In addition, leaf burning produces cancer-causing dioxins, hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. Michigan and City of Ann Arbor
law make it illegal to burn leaves within the city limits.
The 2014 annual drinking water report is now available
The City of Ann Arbor is once again proud to share the annual drinking
water quality report, which documents that our drinking water
supply continues to meet or exceed state and federal drinking water
regulations.
What’s in your tap water besides water?
This report will tell you where your water comes from, what’s in it and
how to keep our water supply safe. Take some time to read it through,
because when it comes to understanding your drinking water, the most
important ingredient is you!
Did we meet all monitoring requirements in 2014?
The city has continued to meet the challenge of providing residents with
a safe and dependable supply of quality drinking water which meets
or exceeds the requirements set forth by the Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) and the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality
(MDEQ).
Share this report!
Printed versions of this report are available upon request at Larcom City
Hall, Ann Arbor District Library branches and the Water Treatment Plant.
If you would like a copy mailed to you, call 734.794.6426 to request one.
A digital version can be found online at a2gov.org/A2H2O.
Your views are welcome!
Attend a City Council meeting if you would like to learn more about
issues affecting your community. City Council meets monthly at 7 p.m.
generally on the first and third Mondays in the Larcom City Hall Council
chamber, second floor, 301 E. Huron St. For a schedule, visit a2gov.org/
calendar.
Interesting Ann Arbor water facts
• 85 percent of Ann Arbor drinking water comes from the Huron
River.
• Ann Arbor’s Water Treatment Plant treats and distributes 14
million gallons per day of local surface and groundwater for
businesses and residents. All that water is then treated at the
Wastewater Treatment Plant and returned to the Huron River.
• The urban forest and stormwater conveyance systems help
improve water quality and consists of:
- Over 540 miles of stormwater conveyance system.
- Over 23,000 inlets and catch basins.
- Over 43,000 street trees and over 6,000 park trees.