Washtenaw County Water Resources Commission

Washtenaw County is increasing efforts toward a more effective way of dealing with waste. 2023 amendments to the Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act requires all Michigan counties to develop a new “Materials Management Plan” that emphasizes recycling, organics diversion, and sustainable materials management rather than focusing solely on landfill capacity. Its led to some forward thinking and action plans here in Washtenaw County. WEMU's David Fair discussed those programs with Theo Eggermont, Public Works Director for the Washtenaw County Water Resources Commissioner’s Office.

Halloween may be behind us, but that doesn’t mean you have to throw away your jack-o’-lanterns. Washtenaw County is collaborating with local farms to give pumpkins a new purpose. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the details.

Washtenaw County is launching a pilot food scrap drop-off program in hopes of diverting more of the waste out of landfills. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert reports.

County water management officials are asking residents to drop off any hazardous household waste at their disposal location in Scio Township this Saturday. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has the details.

Washtenaw County is joining a pilot program to help move food waste out of landfills and be used for composting. WEMU's Kevin Meerschaert reports.

When strolling the sidewalks of Ann Arbor's old west side, you may have noticed large square decals inviting you to scan a QR code to learn more about the historic Allen Creek. That waterway now runs underground, but that wasn't always the case. WEMU's John Stockwell decided to dig a little deeper, to uncover the story of Allen Creek.

The local community has been raising concerns over the City of Ann Arbor and the Washtenaw County Water Resources Office's choice to exterminate beavers in Ann Arbor. WEMU’s Ana Longoria has more.

It is growing season, and deciding on how to landscape and decorate your gardens is part of the fun of spring and summer. Sometimes, we end up picking things that can have adverse environmental and ecological impacts. WEMU's David Fair spoke with the president of the Ann Arbor Area chapter of The Wild Ones, Marta Manildi, about how to pick safely and beautifully.

The long-awaited removal of the Beyer Dam near Willow Run Airport is a step closer to reality, thanks to a grant from the Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy. WEMU’s Kevin Meerschaert has this report.

Flooding in the West Willow neighborhood in Ypsilanti Township has been a problem and the search for solutions has been under study. A 500-year storm in 2023 caused damage to over 1,000 homes. Residents are frustrated with the slow pace of progress in addressing outdated water infrastructure, so Washtenaw County hired an engineering and consulting firm to look into solutions. WEMU's David Fair talked with Brandon Ellefson of Livonia-based OHM Advisors about what solutions the study has found.