The Bloomfield Village Retention Treatment Basin (RTB) was constructed as part of an $82 million national demonstration project. The demonstration project is a three-phase project aimed at eliminating combined sewage overflows (CSO) in the Rouge River watershed.   The Bloomfield Village RTB was constructed under the second phase of the project, which implemented CSO controls.   Phase I included monitoring and optimizing existing combined sewer systems and planning for CSO controls.   Phase III evaluates the results of Phase II CSO controls and initiates further controls (if necessary) to meet water quality standards.

The Bloomfield Village RTB services a 2,325-acre watershed, treating approximately 330 million gallons of CSO annually, of which 100 million gallons are discharged to the Rouge River.   The RTB has a capacity of 10.0 million gallons and is 395' x 198' x 29'.   The facility is designed to provide 30 minutes detention of the 1-year, 1-hour storm (1.0”).

Flow is regulated to 5 cfs by a vortex regulator valve.   Flow exceeding 5 cfs is diverted to the RTB in a 10' influent sewer.   Three separate cells are sequentially filled, as the facility provides disinfection, settling and skimming.   Flow exceeding the storage capacity of the three cells, is screened through 3/4” x 3-3/4” openings and overflows via weir troughs to an effluent channel that discharges to the Rouge River.   Retained flow in the RTB is pumped back into the Evergreen Interceptor for treatment at the Detroit POTW.   After the basin is dewatered, a pivoting trough flushing system is used to flush any remaining sediment from the tank bottom to the interceptor sewer.

Construction of the RTB was completed in July 1997.   Located below the 8th fairway of the Lincoln Hills Golf Course, the control building was designed to resemble a golf course clubhouse to blend with the aesthetics of the site.   The control building also serves as a rest area and shelter for golfers, containing public restrooms and vending machines.

The Bloomfield Village instrumentation and controls are relayed into Oakland County's Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) system.   This allows the County to monitor the facility from a remote location and optimally operate the facility.