Comment period closes, consent decree awaits next steps

Once the Sewer District's consent decree—a $3 billion 25-year agreement between the Sewer District and Federal and State agencies to reduce raw-sewage discharges to the environment—was lodged in Federal court in December, it was open for a 30-day public comment period which closed January 28. But what happens to those comments, and what is the status of the agreement?

What is a combined sewer overflow?

Friday is final day for consent decree comments

The public comment period on the Sewer District's consent decree with the Environmental Protection Agency will close Friday, January 28. The Federal Register offers instructions for commenting. Known as Project Clean Lake, the $3 billion 25-year consent decree agreement will significantly reduce raw sewage discharges to the environment and help the Sewer District comply with Clean Water Act standards.

Following, liking, and friending: NEORSD in social media

In the last year, the Sewer District has grown its social media presence to better serve its customers in Northeast Ohio. But how are we using the accounts and which ones have the news you need? Here's a quick overview:

Neither rain, nor sleet, nor snow, [but geez it's cold out here]...

Sewer System Maintenance & Operation crews transmit GPS coordinates of a sewer manhole location, collecting data for the Sewer District's geographic information system (GIS).

Impending snow storm means higher flow at plants. Eventually.

Heavy rainstorms can cause local stream flooding and erosion problems, as well as cause some older sewers to exceed their capacities. But in winter months, do blizzards like the one we anticipate this evening induce the same water-related issues?

From the archives

Unidentified photo from NEORSD archives, circa 1909

Director Ciaccia responds to alleged link to road-salt scam

From Executive Director Julius Ciaccia | Today, an article appeared in The Plain Dealer about allegations of bid-rigging in the salt industry that cost the State of Ohio and municipalities millions. Several radio stations already picked up the story, and I'm sure TV will as well.

If you read the story or heard it on the radio, you have found that my name has been associated with the allegations. Let me set out a few points about this story as it relates to me and the Sewer District. They are as follows:

Question: Which utilities make your "Like" list?

The Sewer District has two Twitter accounts, this blog, a YouTube channel, and is building a Facebook presence as well to better communicate with customers. As customers, Northeast Ohioans, or otherwise interested citizens, does a utility or service provider like us need a robust social-media presence? Do you follow, share, "Like" or RT posts from other utilities like the Water Department or Cleveland Public Power? and how might the Sewer District take advantage of these platforms to improve its communication efforts?