Canton Township Public Works Division

Canton's Public Works Division falls under the Municipal Services Department or MSD.  MSD is made up of Building and Inspection Services, Planning Services and of course Public Works.  Public Works is the biggest division in MSD and is broken into six sections; Engineering, Fleet Maintenance, Water, Sanitary Sewer, Stormwater and Customer Service.  Each section is responsible for the following:

Engineering:  Located on the second floor of Canton's Administration Building, Engineering ensures that the community engineering design and construction standards are met.  Engineering works in the areas of utilities, drainage infrastructure, special assessment districts, road paving, flood plains and wetlands, and outside agency permits.  In addition, they host several special projects a year such as River Day, Household Hazardous Waste Round-Up, and National Public Works Week.  This section of Public Works is also in charge of the annual Sidewalk Replacement Program.  To learn more about    the Engineering Section and download applications for public and private projects please click here.

Fleet Maintenance:  Located behind Canton's Fire Station One right next to the Administration Building, Fleet is responsible for the maintenance and repair of over 170 township owned vehicles and equipment.

Water:  Water. Sanitary Sewer, Stormwater and Customer Service are all  located in the Division of Public Works Building on Sheldon Road just South of Michigan Avenue and can be reached between the hours of 7:30 a.m. - 4 p.m. at 734/397-1011.  Water is in charge of installing residential water taps and keeping over eight million gallons of water clean and pressurized for businesses and homes 24 hours a day.

Sanitary Sewer: Sewer is in charge of making sure capacity is available for all new development as well as maintaining and cleaning all sewer line in the community.

Stormwater:  Stormwater is in charge of retro-fitting area detention ponds, cleaning drains, dealing with flooding and drain issues and street sweeping.

Customer Service:  Customer Service handles all customer complaints and works with the cross connection control program to ensure Canton's water system is not contaminated.

Useful Information

Detention basins and detention/retention ponds
Ponds exist in order to help control potential flooding from storm water runoff and to help improve the water quality that leads into streams. Homeowners' associations and business owners are responsible for maintaining their detention basins. Detention basins require maintenance to ensure that they function properly. See the Detention Basins brochure for more information.

Wetlands
A wetland is an area of land that is saturated with water for at least part of the year and contains plants and animals that are adapted to live in these wet conditions. A wetland is also known as a swamp, bog, or marsh. You may even have some wetlands in your area.

Utilities
It is the responsibility of the homeowner to contact the local utility companies in order to begin service. With regards to water and sewer utilities, Public Works is responsible for overseeing the installation and for the long term maintenance of the public water and sewer system. Questions regarding use of the water or sanitary sewer system can be directed to the Public Works Division at 734/394-5150. In the event of a power outage, residents are asked to call Detroit Edison at 800/477-4747. Residents may also use that number to report downed power lines. To report a natural gas leak or emergency, please call DTE at 800/947-5000.

Roads
The Public Works Division works closely with Wayne County to maintain our road system. Roads in platted subdivisions are part of the county road system. Residents wishing to file road complaints may contact the Wayne County Traffic Control Division. The Road Hazard Hotline is 1-800-ROAD-CREW. Roads in site condominiums or attached condominium developments are private and become the responsibility of the homeowners' association to maintain. If you are uncertain as to the type of development in which you reside, contact Canton's Planning Services Division.

Street Signs
Sign replacement for roads that are part of the county road system are handled by the Wayne County Traffic Control Division. Residents wishing to file complaints may contact that office and the county will investigate. Sign replacement for private roads are the responsibility of the homeowners' association.

Traffic Enforcement
Canton's Public Safety Department handles traffic enforcement on roads that are part of the county road system. Traffic enforcement for private road systems must be applied for by obtaining an application from the Public Works Division in order to allow Public Safety the right to enforce traffic codes in your development.

Helpful Links

• Public Works Fee Schedule
• Public Works Engineering Services
• Public Works Special Projects
• Sidewalk Repair Program
• Road Construction
• Solid Waste, Compost and Recycling Guidelines