City of Gladwin, Gladwin City Hall

09/09/2026

Wastewater Treatment Plant Update-September 9, 2026
This week, the city and its wastewater professionals are beginning the careful, phased restart of the Wastewater Treatment Plant. Each system will be brought online and fully evaluated before the next phase begins to ensure the plant safely returns to full operating capacity. Throughout this process, the team will continue taking additional precautions and conducting enhanced monitoring. The City is providing this information to help residents understand what is being tested, what the results mean, and how the public will be notified if any conditions require action.

What the City Is Testing
The Wastewater Treatment Plant tests treated wastewater for f***l coliform at the end of the treatment process. This testing takes place before the treated wastewater enters the Cedar River.
F***l coliform is a group of bacteria used as an indicator of possible f***l contamination.

The City's wastewater testing tells us about the treated wastewater leaving the treatment plant. It does not tell us the water quality of the entire Cedar River.

Recent Wastewater Test Results
The following are the City's reported f***l-coliform results:

Date F***l Coliform (colonies/100 mL)
August 11, 2026 12
August 12, 2026 20
August 13, 2026 12
August 17, 2026 28
August 18, 2026 275
August 19, 2026 10
August 24, 2026 2
August 25, 2026 2
August 26, 2026 6
August 31, 2026 4
September 1, 2026 1
September 2, 2026 1

What these results mean: The highest single result during this period was 275 on August 18. The result was 10 the next day. From August 24 through September 2, results ranged from 1 to 6 colonies per 100 mL.

What Wastewater Testing Can Tell Us
Wastewater testing and river testing answer different questions.

The City's wastewater testing tells us about the treated wastewater as it leaves the treatment plant. It does not determine whether the Cedar River is safe for recreation.
Think of the wastewater plant like a hose emptying into a creek. Testing at the end of the hose tells us what is in the treated water leaving the plant. Testing farther down the creek tells us what is in the river at that location and time.
If treated wastewater has a low bacteria count but bacteria levels are higher farther downstream, the downstream result cannot automatically be linked to the wastewater plant.
E. coli testing can show that f***l contamination is present, but testing alone cannot identify where that contamination came from. Additional information or testing may be needed to identify the source.

Wastewater Permit Requirements
GLWO reports that the City's wastewater permit requires the monthly f***l-coliform average to be below 200 colonies per 100 mL. The permit also requires the seven-day average to be below 400 colonies per 100 mL.
These requirements are based on averages. One higher daily result does not mean the permit has been exceeded.
GLWO reports that all required testing from August 11 through September 2 was within permit parameters. Results are reported to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE) daily.
Wastewater sampling is used to verify compliance with applicable permit requirements. The reported f***l-coliform results are provided to EGLE.

Ongoing Monitoring and Public Notification
The city and its wastewater professionals continue to monitor the treatment system while the Wastewater Treatment Plant is being restored to full operation. The city is also taking additional precautions and conducting additional sampling during this work.
If testing identifies a permit exceedance, or another condition requires or warrants public notification, the City will follow applicable regulatory requirements and promptly make the public aware.
The City's goal is simple: protect public health, keep our waterways safe for recreation, and provide residents with accurate information based on actual testing.

Cedar River Recreational-Water Monitoring
Central Michigan District Health Department (CMDHD) is responsible for seasonal recreational water E. coli testing and for issuing beach advisories when warranted.
CMDHD tests recreational water for E. coli to evaluate whether the water meets Michigan recreational water-quality standards and whether a public-health advisory is appropriate. This testing is different from the City's wastewater testing. The City tests treated wastewater before it enters the Cedar River. CMDHD tests water in the river to evaluate conditions where people may be using the water for recreation.
CMDHD's August 18 City Park sample was 79.8 E. coli per 100 mL, which was within the applicable recreational water-quality standard. CMDHD determines when test results and conditions warrant a recreational-water or beach advisory. If CMDHD issues an advisory affecting the City Park Beach area, the City will also post that advisory at the beach.

The Bottom Line
The City of Gladwin, its wastewater professionals, and regulatory partners are working to protect public health and keep our waterways safe. While the Wastewater Treatment Plant is being restored to full operation, additional precautions, monitoring, and sampling remain in place.

Water-quality testing and permit requirements can be technical. The City will continue to share clear, accurate information with the public and provide notification when conditions require or warrant it.
Residents can use this information to understand what is being tested, what the results mean, and how they will be notified if conditions change.

09/05/2026

Celebrate Labor Day Weekend in Gladwin
Happy Labor Day, Gladwin!
As we head into the holiday weekend, we hope everyone has an opportunity to step away from work, slow down and enjoy time with the people who matter most.
Spend Saturday morning visiting our local vendors at the Gladwin Farmers Market from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Then stop by the Gladwin County Historical Society Museum from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. to drop off an item for Gladwin’s 50-year time capsule, which will preserve a piece of our community for residents to discover in 2076.
Take a walk or bike ride along the Trail of Two Cities, spend an afternoon at City Park, enjoy a final summer camping trip, or take that last-minute family vacation. Whether you are gathering with family, visiting with neighbors, or simply relaxing at home, we hope your weekend is filled with laughter, connection, and special memories.
Gladwin is more than a place, it is the people, traditions, and everyday moments we share. Thank you to everyone whose hard work and dedication make our community such a wonderful place to live, work and visit.
From all of us, have a happy, relaxing, and safe Labor Day weekend!
City of Gladwin City Council & Staff

09/04/2026

09/04/2026

September 4 Wastewater Treatment Plant Update
The wastewater treatment plant is expected to begin operating again on Tuesday, September 8.
Equipment was started and tested this week. On Tuesday, staff and contractors will begin bringing the plant back online one system at a time. Each system will be carefully checked before the next one is started.
Testing has continued throughout the emergency, and the treated wastewater leaving the plant has remained within the City’s permit limits.
Residents may notice temporary odors during the startup process. This is expected because material that has remained relatively still since late July will begin moving through the system again. Odors may be strongest during the first few days and should gradually lessen, although they may come and go for several weeks. Depending on the wind, odors may occasionally be noticed beyond the area immediately surrounding the plant.

09/04/2026

WE ARE HIRING!

Position Title: Deputy Clerk/Accounts Payable /Office Support Specialist
Reports To: City Administrator
Location: City of Gladwin
Position Type: Full Time, Non-Exempt
Position Summary:
The Deputy Clerk/ Office Support Specialist is responsible for providing administrative support to ensure the office runs efficiently. This multifaceted role includes clerical duties, assistance with recordkeeping, and providing support to internal and external individuals. This role also includes providing general office support to the City Clerk.

Key Responsibilities:
Deputy Clerk Duties:
• Acts as the recording secretary for public meetings, also included preparing and maintaining official records, agendas, and minutes for board or council meetings
• Prepare monthly warrants for council approval
• Assist with elections
• Process and file official documents, resolutions, ordinances, and legal notices
• Respond to public inquiries and FOIA requests

General Office and Administrative Support:

• Provide administrative support to office staff, including organizing meetings, preparing reports, and handling routine correspondence
• Help maintain organized files and databases for various administrative functions
• Perform other general office tasks and special projects as assigned by office staff
•
Qualifications:
Education and Experience:
• High school diploma or equivalent required
• Associate or bachelor’s degree in accounting, finance, business, or related field preferred
• At least 1-2 years of experience in office support or similar administrative functions preferred
• Familiarity with accounting software and Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook) is required
• Must possess or can learn specific election administration processes and laws related to municipal records, Freedom of Information Act, Open Meetings Act, and parliamentary procedures
• Must possess or obtain State of Michigan Certified Election Administrator certification within one year of hire
• Must possess or obtain the Certified Municipal Clerk certification within three years of hire
• Must possess or obtain a Notary Certificate

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Strong knowledge of basic accounting principles
• Familiarity with grant administration and reporting requirements preferred
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, especially in managing files and documents
• Ability to handle confidential and sensitive information with professionalism
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• Required to work long hours outside of your scheduled working hours during election times
• Evening meetings are required
• Ability to sit and work at a desk for extended periods

Compensation and Benefits:

• Competitive hourly wage based on experience and qualifications
• Full benefits package
• Paid vacation, holidays and sick leave
• Training and advancement opportunities

To Apply:
Submit a completed application and resume to:
City of Gladwin
Attn: City Clerk, Marietta Andrist
1000 W. Cedar Ave Gladwin, MI 48624 [email protected]

Applications will be accepted until the position is filled.

08/31/2026

Wastewater Treatment Plant Update
August 31, 2026
Power has been restored to the City of Gladwin Wastewater Treatment Plant, marking an important step toward returning the facility to normal operation.
On July 28, a lightning strike damaged the electrical service between the service entrance and the main plant building, taking much of the plant’s equipment out of operation.
Over the past month, crews have rebuilt motors, replaced damaged electrical equipment, and reconnected power throughout the facility. During the outage, temporary bypass pumps routed wastewater around the affected equipment and directly to the aerated lagoons, which remained operational and provided treatment throughout the emergency.
Equipment Restart Begins This Week
Beginning this week, City staff, plant operators, and contractors will bring the remaining equipment back online one system at a time. Each system will be inspected, tested, and operated before moving to the next.
Based on current progress, the City anticipates wastewater will begin flowing through the treatment plant again next week, rather than around the equipment that has been undergoing repair.
Residents May Notice Temporary Odors
As the treatment plant is restarted, residents may notice increased odors. Some equipment and material within the treatment process have remained stationary for more than a month, and restarting those processes can temporarily release odors.
Residents near the treatment plant and, depending on wind direction, residents in other areas of the City may notice them. Odors are expected to be strongest during the first several days of the restart and lessen as operations stabilize. Some intermittent odors may occur over the next several weeks as additional processes are brought back online.
Water Quality Monitoring
Throughout the temporary operations, wastewater has received treatment through the aerated lagoon system, with plant operators performing required water quality testing and reporting results to the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy, or EGLE. Required testing includes CBOD, ammonia, phosphorus, total suspended solids, and f***l coliform bacteria, with results remaining below the applicable limits established in the City’s wastewater permit.
Moving Toward Normal Operations
Restoring power is a significant milestone in the recovery process. City staff, plant operators, contractors, engineers, and EGLE are working together as systems are carefully restarted and the facility returns to normal operation.
The City appreciates the hard work of everyone involved in restoring the facility and the patience and understanding of our residents throughout this process.

08/28/2026

Cedar River Water Quality Update — August 28
As part of the City of Gladwin’s ongoing coordination regarding Cedar River water quality, the Central Michigan District Health Department (CMDHD) confirmed with the City today that:
THERE IS CURRENTLY NO E. COLI ADVISORY FOR GLADWIN CITY PARK.
The most recent sample collected at Gladwin City Park on August 18 measured 79.8 MPN, below the 300 MPN advisory threshold. The City has not received notification from CMDHD that an advisory is necessary for Gladwin City Park.
The recently reported 365.4 MPN result was collected on August 26 at Northern Sites Campground, a separate location farther downstream. CMDHD issued an advisory for that location and has conducted follow-up sampling.
Additionally, in an update provided by EGLE last evening, the City was advised that Great Lakes Water Operations (GLWO) reports daily treatment operations continue and that data provided on the operational checklist indicates effluent quality is “well within permit limits.”
CMDHD is responsible for recreational-water monitoring and public-health advisories. The City remains in communication with CMDHD and EGLE, follows the guidance of the appropriate agencies and licensed professionals, and will promptly notify residents if CMDHD advises that conditions at Gladwin City Park require an advisory.
CMDHD has also advised that an elevated E. coli result does not, by itself, determine the source of the contamination. E. coli can come from multiple sources, including sewage, wildlife, pets, livestock and rainwater runoff.
CedarRiverMonitoringPR_081426.pdf-https://acrobat.adobe.com/id/urn:aaid:sc:us:e6ae3f49-1159-476b-b84c-dbea8f6afb60

Residents can obtain current recreational-water information and sampling results through the official resources below:
Cedar River Sampling Results — Michigan BeachGuard/MiEnviro⁠ https://mienviro.michigan.gov/nsite/beach/map/results/detail/4244386951891073921/Samples%20And%20Results
Michigan BeachGuard — Current Advisories & Closures⁠ https://mienviro.michigan.gov/nsite/beach/map/results
The City will continue coordinating with CMDHD, EGLE and its licensed wastewater professionals and will provide residents with verified information as it becomes available.
City of Gladwin

nSITE provides an integrated, cross-programmatic view of information for sites that are of environmental concern to the agency. Site data from each connected source system is presented as a single record, combining information from multiple program areas to create a holistic view of site activities....

08/27/2026

WWTP Update – August 27, 2026
Repairs at the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant made additional progress this week.
Pump motors have been installed, replacement electrical equipment is onsite and being installed, and other equipment is being tested and reconnected. Temporary pumping remains in operation while permanent repairs are completed.
Our engineers also reviewed recent plant data and, based on current operating conditions, the treatment lagoons are capable of handling the current wastewater flow and are expected to continue meeting permit limits.
The City also followed up on recent sewer odor concerns reported by a few residents. The sewer mains serving the affected homes were checked and found to be flowing properly. DPW staff spoke directly with the homeowners and advised that drains in sinks or fixtures that are used infrequently can dry out, allowing odors to come through the drain. Residents were advised to add water to those drains to restore the P-trap seal.
There is still work to be completed before the facility is fully restored. Our wastewater team, engineers, electricians and contractors are working through the remaining repairs while the temporary pumping system continues supporting wastewater operations.
The City will continue to keep the community informed as restoration work progresses.

08/25/2026

WWTP Update – August 24, 2026
Work at the Wastewater Treatment Plant continues to move forward. The motors have been remounted and reconnected, and our electrical contractor continues to make progress on the remaining repairs. The city and its contractors are also evaluating options that could allow portions of the plant to return to operation sooner while permanent repairs continue. Additional equipment has arrived and is being installed as part of the ongoing restoration.
As the work has progressed, our contractors have identified some unexpected conditions that require additional work, but the project continues to move in a positive direction. We have also received a small number of calls from residents regarding sewer odors coming from drains. Our DPW and WWTP teams are aware and are following up on these reports to ensure there are no additional issues requiring attention.
The city remains focused on completing the necessary repairs safely and restoring the plant to full operation as quickly as possible. We appreciate the continued patience and cooperation of our residents while this important work is underway.