ISAAC: Forecasts keep us on our toes even in Ohio

Some flood events, like this one along the Cuyhoaga River along Old Rockside
Road in 2011, can't be predicted. But when they are, we prepare accordingly.

As the remnants of Hurricane Isaac make their way north—and as we hope for the safety of residents and first-responders in Isaac's wake—local forecasters were predicting significant rain in Northeast Ohio this holiday weekend.

While the threat has tailed off, the storm raises the question: How do Sewer District crews get ready for these kind of anticipated strong storm (and therefore sewer flow) surges?

Prediction, preparation, and personnel.

EVENTS: Cleveland to welcome Great Lakes Week Summit, WVIZ/PBS will broadcast

We are supporting and participating in the Great Lakes Week Summit and Great Lakes Restoration Conference starting September 11, discussing the challenges and opportunities facing Lake Erie and our entire Great Lakes region.

You can still register to attend, and you can also follow more than 25 hours of programming thanks to a partnership between WVIZ/PBS ideastream and Detroit Public Television.

Here's the official release and program guide from WVIZ/PBS:

PUP: Grab a mitt, a mutt, and the message

The Sewer District sponsoring a bring-your-dog-to-the-ballpark night? Yes, you read that correctly.

This is the third year the Sewer District has supported the Cleveland Indians' Puppypalooza event, and the latest is August 29 against the Oakland Athletics. But why?

CONSTRUCTION: New hotline posts project updates, traffic alerts

Euclid Creek Tunnel construction
along Lakeshore Boulevard in Cleveland.

Is Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District construction affecting traffic in your neighborhood? Now you can call for the latest schedules, detours, and traffic alerts.

We have launched a new Construction Hotline (216) 432-7157 with recordings of our latest projects' traffic impacts so you can be informed and find the answers you need.

These recordings are updated regularly, featuring the latest reports on our Euclid Creek Tunnel construction along Lakeshore Boulevard and more. We also post these recordings' scripts as blog entries to make them easier to find.

VIDEO: "OK, class, we have a film for you today."

Ah, the new school year is upon us. And it brings back memories of science-class filmstrips and the clickety-clack of the projector.

Here's a classic from 1967 called "Journey through a day," in which a young boy spends his day in the great outdoors, interacting with his environment and the many creatures around him. Did you ever spend days like this? Do your kids have days like this today?



Sewer District crews spend days along streamsides, too, mostly monitoring fish and aquatic life for water-quality tests, not diving in after frogs or putting turtles in their pockets like the lad in the video. But the level of enjoyment spending a day in the great outdoors may be comparable.

TOP 10: Reasons a sewage treatment plant open house is worth a Saturday visit

You might think there is an endless list of places you'd rather be than a Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District open house like the one we're having Saturday, September 8 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

But here are at least 10 reasons why an up-close look at the clean-water process could be worth your time.

TRAFFIC HOTLINE: Alerts for 8/10-27, 2012

Recorded August 10, 2012
Will be replaced August 27, 2012

The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District has several sewer construction projects that will temporarily impact vehicular and pedestrian traffic. These messages were recorded on August 10 and should remain in effect through the end of the month.

VIDEO: Flushable wipes maybe not so much

Are flushable wipes really flushable? Perhaps for convenience, but they are not without problems beyond the drain.

Our friends at the National Association of Clean Water Agencies posted a link on their Facebook page about a city in Canada facing significant wastewater-treatment process issues because flushable diapers and wipes are not breaking down. The only thing breaking down is their equipment.



I asked our Southerly Wastewater Treatment Center maintenance manager and our assistant superintendent if this is a localized problem or if we experience the same problems in our processes. Kevin Zebrowski answered it's a little bit of both.