Title
The Board of Water Commissioners for the City of Detroit Water and Sewerage Department approves the issuance of an Easement Encroachment Permit for DTE Energy and authorizes the Director to take such action as may be necessary to complete and recording the transaction.
Body
Agenda of August 19, 2026
Item No. 2026-181
TO: The Honorable
Board of Water Commissioners
City of Detroit, Michigan
FROM: Gary Brown, Director
Water and Sewerage Department
RE: Approval of Easement Encroachment Permit
GLWA GEEP 2608 - DTE Electric Conduit
Andrew Drive near 6897 Jasmine Drive
Troy, Michigan
MOTION
Upon recommendation of Scott MacGriff, Chief General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, the Board of Water Commissioners for the City of Detroit Water and Sewerage Department (“DWSD”) hereby approves an Easement Encroachment Permit authorizing DTE Energy (“Applicant”) to install a 4-inch PVC electrical conduit across an existing DWSD easement containing an 84-inch GLWA-leased water transmission main in the right-of-way of Andrew Drive near 6897 Jasmine Drive, Troy, Michigan, and authorizes the Director to execute and accept the documents and to take such further actions as may be necessary to complete and record the transaction.
BACKGROUND / JUSTIFICATION
DTE Energy proposes to install a 4-inch PVC conduit containing electrical conductor by boring beneath Andrew Drive to energize the new 750 Andrews residential development. The proposed conduit will cross the existing DWSD easement and the 84-inch water transmission main operated by the Great Lakes Water Authority (“GLWA”).
DWSD Engineering and Permitting staff, in coordination with GLWA, reviewed the proposed encroachment and determined that the installation is compatible with the continued operation, maintenance, and protection of the water transmission main, subject to the conditions set forth in the Easement Encroachment Permit and GLWA approval letter. Among other protections, the Applicant must expose the top of the 84-inch main in the presence of a GLWA field inspector to verify its location, maintain at least 18 inches of vertical clearance, provide advance notice for inspection, preserve DWSD’s paramount easement and access rights, restore the easement following construction, maintain required insurance and indemnification, and bear responsibility for damage to the utility facilities and any required relocation of the permitted installation.
Approval of this resolution authorizes issuance and administration of the Easement Encroachment Permit, allowing the project to proceed while protecting DWSD and GLWA infrastructure and the interests of Detroit ratepayers.