GREEN: Understanding the spectrum, our shade of green must be smart stormwater solutions [#neorsdGREEN]

The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District actively engages in GREEN INFRASTRUCTURE projects that promote smart stormwater solutions.

Our smart stormwater solutions always consider the following four criteria: 

COST

As responsible stewards of our customers' money, we take into account the cost vs. the benefits of different methods of stormwater control—whether to go gray (build a tunnel) or green (construct a bioretention feature).

SITE CHARACTERISTICS

The decision of whether to build a tunnel or construct a bioretention feature depends on the particular characteristics of any one site and any one combined-sewer area. These characteristics include:

INSIGHT: The past, present and future of Project Clean Lake's "green alternatives"

Gray, green, or in between? For us, that's an important question.

cleveland.com has been presenting a series of articles focused on Project Clean Lake, our 25-year $3 billion plan to reduced combined sewer overflow pollution. The stories have covered the agreement's history and raised questions about "green alternatives" we may or may not have considered along the way.

In response, we've blogged about the alternatives we considered in the early 2000s, as well as the groundbreaking nature of our eventual agreement that allows us to evaluate and increase green-infrastructure implementation where it makes the most sense, both financially and environmentally.

Let's take a closer look at those points for a moment to better understand how green fits in the scene.

NEWS: "Is there a cheaper, greener way?" Let's take a look. #neorsdGREEN

A story posted today on cleveland.com asks the question, "Is there a cheaper, greener way" to prevent billions of gallons of sewage and stormwater from polluting Lake Erie?

It's the first in a series of articles set to look at the financial, green, and comparative aspects of our 25-year program known as Project Clean Lake [video], an effort to reduce combined sewer overflows that affect our Great Lake during heavy storms.

The article raises good questions and we hope continues to further productive conversation about our water resources and how they must be protected responsibly. But there four quotes from the story that could benefit from more perspective.

GREEN: 1,000 acres, 30+ green projects to be identified by year's end

By December 31, an already environmentally focused Project Clean Lake will be eco-friendlier.

The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District is nearing completion of its Green Infrastructure Feasibility Study, a requirement of its recent consent decree with the Federal government, that will identify priority areas to further reduce sewage overflows using less-traditional Green Infrastructure projects.

It's official: CSO consent decree is signed

The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District's combined sewer overflow long-term control plan (CSO LTCP) consent decree was approved by the US District Court on June 30 and filed on the Court's docket today. The terms of the consent decree are now legally binding on the District. Known as Project Clean Lake, the 25-year consent decree outlines $3 billion of investments that will reduce the amount of pollution entering our Great Lake.

EPA touts Sewer District's green infrastructure program

In its announcement to promote the use of green infrastructure for environmental and economic benefits, the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District’s program was listed a model for other municipalities around the country. Nine other communities across the country also were mentioned by US EPA as leaders in this field.

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?

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. ...

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.