CSO consent decree, not rate increase, on Dec. 2 meeting agenda

The agenda for the Sewer District's December 2 Board of Trustees meeting includes an amendment to a resolution adopted in 2005 which would authorize District staff to execute the proposed 25-year agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency. There will not be a vote to increase rates for the years 2012-2016 at this meeting.

Sewer District economic impact study available online

Attendees at recent Project Clean Lake public meetings saw several figures regarding job creation and tax revenue during the presentation. These estimates were reported in a September 2010 economic impact study conducted by Cleveland State University's Center for Economic Development. ...

Balancing act

A worker stands atop what will be the renewable energy facility building at our Southerly Wastewater Treatment Center. More photos.

Trustees, public hear Project Clean Lake details

This afternoon, the Board of Trustees and a full Public Meeting Room heard a detailed presentation of the Sewer District's draft combined sewer overflow long-term control plan. Known as Project Clean Lake, the 25-year agreement between the Sewer District and the Environmental Protection Agency would call for a $3 billion investment to reduce raw sewage discharges to the environment.

Public meeting in Parma tonight, Board presentation tomorrow

About 40 residents attended last night's public meeting at the Gunning Park Rec Center, and a larger crowd is anticipated tonight in Parma for the District's sixth public meeting regarding rates and Project Clean Lake. A similar presentation of the consent decree and project details will be given to the District's Board of Trustees Thursday, November 18 at its 12:30 p.m. public meeting at the McMonagle Administration Building.

Project Clean Lake: Answers to common questions

In addition to our video and public meetings, we've updated our Project Clean Lake homepage to answer some of the common questions our customers have regarding the program and costs. We encourage your comments to help us create the best content that provides the information our customers need.

Renewable energy facility: "Whatever happened to...?"

Under the ever-so-catchy "Poo into power" headline, the Plain Dealer updated readers today with a status report on our Renewable energy facility (REF) that will turn waste heat into enough energy to power 25% of the plant's electricity needs. Read the story.

Sewer District releases details of draft consent decree

Today, the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District released details of its ongoing negotiations with the Environmental Protection Agency regarding its $3 billion plan to reduce raw sewage discharges to the environment. Known as a consent decree, the draft agreement outlines specific projects and milestones that will reduce those discharges from 4.5 billion gallons annually to 494 million gallons.

Maple Heights crowd nears 30 at fourth public meeting

Director of Engineering & Construction Kellie Rotunno and Director of Watershed Programs Frank Greenland spoke to a crowd of 25 residents at last night's "Why are my rates going up?" public meeting at Maple Heights regional library. Meetings resume Tuesday, November 16 at the Gunning Park Rec Center on Puritas Avenue at 7:00 p.m. See the remaining schedule.

Board President Brown issues response to Mayor Starr statement

Today, the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District Board of Trustees released a statement expressing its disappointment with fellow Board member Mayor Gary Starr’s press conference (held without the Board’s knowledge), in which he expressed his personal views rather than follow the public process observed by the entire Board. The Board reaffirmed its support for the Sewer District's ongoing negotiations with the US EPA regarding the plan to reduce 4.5 billion gallons of raw sewage from entering local waterways. Read the full statement.

Hudson hosts second of District's six rate meetings

Approximately 25 guests attended Monday's public meeting in Hudson, the Sewer District's second in a series of six meetings intended to inform customers of upcoming projects and rate implications. Tonight's meeting is scheduled for the Maple Heights Library at 7:00. You can learn more about our efforts to reduce sewage discharges to the environment, an initiative we're calling Project Clean Lake.

15 new species found in Cuyahoga River since '06

Fifteen new species of fish and 31 new species of macroinvertebrates found in the Cuyahoga River in the last three years are signs of increased diversity and improving environmental health. These findings and more are available in the our complete 2009 Cuyahoga River Environmental Monitoring report.

Bond rating upgraded to second-highest possible ranking

Cleveland – On Friday, Oct. 29, 2010, Standard & Poor’s upgraded the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District’s bond rating from AA to AA+. In addition to the S&P upgrade, Moody’s reaffirmed the Sewer District’s prior rating of Aa1.