Consent decree open for public comment through Jan. 28

The Sewer District's combined sewer overflow (CSO) long-term control plan consent decree, a 25-year agreement with the Federal government to reduce sewage discharges to the environment, was posted in the Federal Register today, beginning the 30-day public-comment period. Here are the instructions for making comments, and the comment period ends January 28, 2011. Known as Project Clean Lake, the initiative will reduce annual sewage discharges to the environment from 4.5 billion gallons to 0.49 billion gallons.

Let it snow, let it flow? Road salt and water quality

Scarves and shovels and salt are all common responses to the snows of winter. But how does the rock salt protecting us on the roadways affect the quality of the water flowing to the Cuyahoga River and Lake Erie?

Consent decree filed in Federal court today

Our consent decree, a 25-year agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency to reduce raw sewage discharges to the environment, was filed in US District Court today. The official agreement between the Sewer District, US Department of Justice, and EPA will be published in the Federal Register, but the publish date is still uncertain. A 30-day public comment period will begin at that time. We will post links and updates on our website as they become available. UPDATE: Court documents have been posted on US Department of Justice homepage.

Wallyday greetings

Bill messages explain rates, savings programs

Our 2011 rate schedule goes into effect January 1. Customers will begin seeing the brief messages below on their bills in the coming months explaining those increases and our rate-saving programs.

2010: From stormwater to sewage and everything in between

The last 12 months have been filled with clean-water progress and projects that affect every one of our customers and one million Northeast Ohio residents. Here are just a few of our 2010 accomplishments:

January 1 begins final year of current rate schedule

The Sewer District's 2011 rates, which take effect January 1, are the final phase of a multiple-year rate program approved by Trustees in 2008. A 2012-2016 rate study is nearing completion which will offer recommendations for rate adjustments and affordability programs early next year.

PUP gets national props as "inventive" educational program

Yesterday, the National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) awarded the Sewer District's Pick Up Poop! (PUP) campaign with its 2010 Public Information & Education Award for its "inventive efforts to educate the public on the effects of waste water treatment and pollution control on the environment." The award will be presented at the NACWA Winter Conference in February.

Tonight's small-business event canceled due to weather

This evening's SBE Opportunity Pipeline event has been canceled and will be rescheduled for a later date. Tomorrow night's workshop remains on schedule, but any attendees are advised to check our SBE homepage for updates.

WMJI's Lanigan & Malone talk sewer rates with Director Ciaccia

How will the recently passed consent decree affect sewer rates? Executive Director Julius Ciaccia appeared on this morning's Lanigan & Malone radio show on WMJI 105.7 where he discussed that, addressing the environmental problem of combined sewers, and what's next.

Download:
http://www.neorsd.org/images/682/wmji_ciaccia-2010-1206.mp3

Summer Sprinkling program customers: Adjustments underway

We recognize that some Summer Sprinkling Program customers may not have received their discounts for the 2010 summer season. Last month, we mailed a letter to Summer Sprinkling Program customers to explain the issue and our response to the situation.

Trustees OK improvement plan to reduce sewage discharges

Today, the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) Board of Trustees agreed to enter into a consent decree with the federal government, which details the long-term plan for reducing raw sewage overflows into the environment, by a 5-2 vote. Mayors Dean DePiero and Gary Starr cast dissenting votes.