Knapp's Corner Drain Issue Information
Ada residents are encouraged to attend the only public meeting where the Kent County Drain Commissioner will report on plans to redirect and dump stormwater overflow into the Grand River in Ada Township. The stormwater will come from extensive development along East Beltline and Knapp. Stormwater contains salt from the parking lots and other rooftop runoff. The Kent County Drain Commissioner has planned and budgeted for a new pipeline that would redirect stormwater runoff from the Knapp Corner Drain into the Cook Drain, which flows into the Grand River in Ada Township along Grand River Drive between Three Mile and Four Mile Roads.
Ada Township recently filed a lawsuit to ensure transparency on the plans and specifically asked that Ada Township residents have an opportunity for a public meeting to be informed about Kent County’s plans.
The Township approved a settlement agreement with the Drain Commissioner's office requiring the Drain Commissioner to hold a public meeting to hear Ada Township and its residents’ concerns regarding the project. The Township requested an evening meeting to improve accessibility for concerned residents, but the Drain Commissioner’s office declined.
Public Meeting Information:
Thursday, May 29 – 1:00 PM
Location (TBD) – we will provide updates once we have the location.
Below are several documents that will help provide information on the issue.
- Press Release Issued by Ada Township re: Settlement Agreement - Click Here to View
- Informational Sheet re: the Issue - Click Here to View
- Letter from Drain Commissioner Ken Yonker re: the project - Click Here to View
- Knapp's Corner Drain District Map - Click Here to View
- Proposed Route of Pipeline from Knapp's Corner to Cook Drain - Click Here to View
- Cook Drain District Map - Click Here to View
Here is a link to media stories that have covered the issue:
The Township has significant concerns regarding the high salt content that the Cook Drain, Grand River, and Ada Township residents may be impacted by. Here are a few media stories in previous years related to the high salt content and previous contamination of wells on Dunnigan Avenue in Grand Rapids Township.
- High chloride levels mean new water main, stormwater plan at Knapp's Corner - mlive.com
- Chloride levels in Knapp’s Corner groundwater to be studied again - mlive.com
- New water main needed to solve chloride contamination issues
- City releases plan for handling 'salty water' issue near Knapp's Corner | wzzm13.com
If you have any questions about this issue please contact Ada Township Manager, Julius Suchy at 616-676-9191 Ext. 7348 or via email at jsuchy@adatownshipmi.com.
We hope to see you on Thursday, May 29 at 1:00 PM for this one-time public meeting