Red, Yellow, Blue, Green
Let's Flush Every Color Into the Saginaw River

Let's All Pour Color Into The Saginaw River

February 12, 2009
By: O. J. Cunningham

A few weeks ago, Brad Meyer asked the Michigan Department of Environmental Quality for permission to pour green dye into the Saginaw River (In Bay City, Michigan) following traditions in Chicago and Dublin, Ireland.

The idea got mixed reviews in the community. Bay City Commissioner Mary Jane Gorney was quoted in the Bay City Times that "since the river was already brown" that she didn't think the end result would be a favorable shade of green.
I agree with Gorney. In my mind, there's already too many folks dumping too many off-color things into the Saginaw River -- Although the thing I'm most concerned about on a continuing basis is something called "partially treated raw sewage."

In recent weeks, I've been trying to get some "push" behind the idea that would require each city/township that treats raw sewage to color-code their sewage "floaters."

My argument is that with a color-coding plan, we might get a better understanding of just who is the worst offender when it comes to polluting the Saginaw River and as an end result -- our Saginaw Bay (Lake Huron).

The local area wastewater treatment plants (Bay City, Saginaw, Essexville) have been slow to warm to the idea of tagging their overflow with a color that might tie the pollution back to their treatment plants.

Who can blame them?

We need to apply some pressure.

I bet some type of cash prize "tagging system" might get the public involved and help make it a community event. Perhaps one of our local 501-C3 non-profits could find a fund raising angle.

Here's an idea -- Each month, one or two sewage "floaters" from each treatment plant could be tagged with a special prize sticker that could be redeemed for cash at the discharging station of origin.

That might become an annual festival. (Stay Tuned)