Swift action by Leland Township sewer officials and operators prevented a main-line break from becoming a major problem.

At the Leland Township Board meeting Monday, sewer administrator Steve Patmore said the quick actions of workers with OMI, the engineering firm that oversees operation of the wastewater treatment facility and the sewer system, contained a leak in the main sewer line along M-204, about a quarter mile east of Duck Lake Corners.

The leak was reported on Monday, June 4 and repaired on Wednesday, June 6. It took two days to get the proper work permits from the state Department of Environmental Quality before the repairs were completed. Patmore said a final determination has not been made on the cause of the leak.

“There was a rock right underneath the pipe, and there shouldn’t be rocks anywhere near that pipe,” he said. Patmore did not have any cost estimate for the work, but it should be covered by a $10,000 contingency fund set up in the contract with OMI.

In other Leland sewer matters, Patmore said at the last township sewer commission meeting, the members discussed the need for a rate increase. He said the commission would most likely make a recommendation within the next two months to the Township Board for an increase to cover a small deficit in the sewer operations budget. Patmore said he didn’t have an exact amount of what the proposed increase will be. Township supervisor Harry Larkin said he and Patmore would come up with a recommendation.