NEWS: $7.2 million to improve water quality by supporting local infrastructure investments

New program to fund community sewer projects that impact public health, environment

@neorsd file photo

Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District Trustees recently awarded $7.2 million to 12 communities as part of the agency’s newly-launched Member Community Infrastructure Program (MCIP).

The MCIP assists communities with local infrastructure improvements — including new sewer infrastructure, repairs to reduce infiltration and inflow (leaking pipes) and remove failing septic systems from the environment — to improve the region’s water quality, public health and the environment.

The Sewer District continues to invest billions of dollars into large, regional infrastructure projects such as Project Clean Lake, the 25-year capital program to drastically reduce the amount of combined sewage entering local waterways during heavy rains. In addition to Project Clean Lake, the Sewer District is also investing in new relief sewers, making improvements to existing interceptor sewers and solving stormwater problems that not only cause flooding and streambank erosion, but negatively impact water quality.

"The projects we are funding through the Member Community Infrastructure Program will address impacts to human health and the environment from aging local sewer infrastructure,” said Kyle Dreyfuss-Wells, Deputy Director of Watershed Programs. “We are very pleased to partner with these communities to move these great projects forward."

NEWS: White House, blue future? Northeast Ohio leaders to help frame national discussion on water issues

How will the new White House prioritize the water needs of America's future?

Northeast Ohio's water sector leaders will contribute to that dialogue August 9, kicking off a series of nationwide listening sessions focused on developing a set of national policy priorities for the 45th Presidential administration.

The US Water Alliance is convening One Water for America Listening Sessions in as many as 12 different US cities this year, and Cleveland is hosting the first thanks to the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District and other partners. Cleveland Metroparks Watershed Stewardship Center at West Creek will host the opening event Tuesday, August 9.

According to the US Water Alliance, the sessions are intended to gather diverse perspectives on the challenges, opportunities, guiding principles and policy priorities to secure a sustainable water future for all.

Each session will convene a cross-section of leadership from the public, private, and nonprofit sectors in a guided discussion, intended to help the new President's team recognize the critical role that water plays in advancing economic competitiveness, creating environmental sustainability and social equity.

Some of the participants include the Sewer District, the Cleveland Water Alliance, The Cleveland Foundation, Cleveland Division of Water, local watershed groups, Cleveland Metroparks, NASA, and dozens more.

Follow tweets from the event using #OneWaterUS and our official account @neorsd.

WATCH: Appreciating clean-water history, future is all about keeping it real

We know it's gross, but it's true!

One hundred years ago, the earliest Cleveland sewers were designed to do little more than carry sewage away from the city, discharging it untreated directly into Lake Erie.

Untreated. Right into Lake Erie.

It wasn't until around 1920 that any kind of wastewater treatment began taking shape at the points where sewers met the Cleveland shoreline. And even into the 1960s, pollution and a lack of regulation plagued water quality, until everything changed in 1969.

Besides the shock of hearing gramps say the word "poop," Billy's reaction in the video is common to what we often hear when we talk about the history of clean water in our region. The work it takes to transport wastewater and treat it safely is complicated and costly, but critical. Appreciating our “sewer history” makes the current challenges clearer and opportunities more exciting.

RELATED STORIES:

• #SewerU: Enroll in our clean-water history workshop Sewer University 5/20
• Roadshows: Our look at the next 5 years is coming to a community near you
• OPEN HOUSE: Be there for the number 1 event in the number 2 business September 17

#SewerDebate: The 2016 election is about to go down the drain April 26, and for a good reason.

We want to make sewers great again.

Our first-ever #SewerDebate will take place on Twitter all day Tuesday, April 26. You will be able to cast your votes in a series of Twitter polls throughout the day as we pose water and infrastructure questions about the four leading Presidential contenders.

The questions will help us know what the electorate thinks about the priorities and water-quality-related habits of Hillary Clinton, Ted Cruz, Bernie Sanders and Donald Trump.

The series will also allow followers to share their opinions on a variety of topics regarding the work it takes to protect natural water resources around the country, and important discussion as we prepare for Infrastructure Week May 16.

Join the #SewerDebate and cast your votes April 26 with @neorsd and our @WallyWaterdrop on Twitter.


#SewerDebate Tweets

FLINT: Health, trust, and funding in the wake of Flint's water crisis

Three issues are critical to the future of clean water systems, Sewer District fully supports Value of Water Coalition guidelines for sustainable future 

If Charleston and Toledo were water-quality wake-up calls, Flint is the living nightmare for residents, officials, and the entire country.

The 2014 Elk River chemical spill in Charleston, West Virginia and the 2014 toxic algae outbreak near Toledo, Ohio represented the dangers of taking water-resource protection for granted. As Flint, Michigan residents now rely on bottled water while the safety of and trust in the city’s infrastructure must be restored, the painful reality is one that is decades in the making.

"Drinking water and wastewater utilities systems do and must protect not only the water resources, but the people that rely upon them," said Julius Ciaccia, Chief Executive Officer of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District.

"We must work together to ensure infrastructure can be safe, trusted, and affordable for future generations."

In response to the Flint, Michigan water crisis, the Value of Water Coalition, a collaboration consisting of private and public water agencies—including the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District—as well as several other stakeholders, recently released a set of guidelines to ensure a sustainable water future for all. Those guidelines, fully supported by the Sewer District, include:

#SewerBowl: Because we know the biggest games are won in the trenches.

Game on, football fans.

For the fourth straight year, water and sewer infrastructure will take the field during the Super Bowl as we cover some of the unexpected #SewerBowl stats and stories from our accounts.

From the beverages consumed to the systems that take it away from your homes safely, we and many other utilities know clean water doesn't take a day off to watch the game, halftime show, or commercials. Which is why we will find the unexpected connections between football and bring you the best on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

Our pups have made a prediction.

#SewerBowl Tweets

RELATED STORIES:

• WHY WE PLAY: SewerBowl shines light on the hidden systems that make it possible
• FACT? Did a city sewer actually burst under the force of a Super Bowl halftime flush?
• BOWLS: The Daily Beast takes a look at the (toilet) bowls that matter 

NEWS: Could @POTUS' final State of the Union bring infrastructure into the spotlight?

President Obama greets guests at The City Club Of Cleveland in March 2015. J. Ciaccia

President Obama will present his final State of the Union address Tuesday night. In addition to big-picture "reaching for the stars" commentary, could he also note the importance of reaching underground?

Infrastructure was a surprise stand-out issue in Obama's SOTU at this time last year, so what are the odds he tees it up again? From funding and public-private partnerships to signing a microbeads ban just last month, water and infrastructure have made news in Obama's second term, and some think another infrastructure push could make sense on this stage.

When President Obama visited The City Club of Cleveland in March, the topic of infrastructure was raised by an audience member, prompting a response from the President, "Infrastructure shouldn't be controversial."

"I have been pushing for us to fund infrastructure since I came into office because we've got $2 trillion worth of dilapidated roads, bridges, sewer lines, and then there's a whole new infrastructure that we have to build in terms of a smart grid that's more secure and reliable in terms of how we use energy and making it more efficient."

Cleveland residents currently have infrastructure matters on their minds as roads are orange-barrelled and Public Square renovation presses on in advance of the July 2016 Republican National Convention. At the same time, freezing temps have led to broken water mains and rerouted traffic to start the new year.

Euclid Creek Tunnel, completed in 2015

The American Society of Civil Engineers' 2013 Infrastructure Report Card put the condition of our country's roads, bridges, water and sewer systems, and more at an underwhelming and disconcerting D+ average.

"To prioritize improvements in infrastructure, there needs to be bipartisan acknowledgement that some solutions can't be put off forever," said Chief Executive Officer Julius Ciaccia following President Obama's visit.

We have huge plans over the next 20 years to reduce Lake Erie pollution by 4 billion gallons annually. Currently, our plans to not anticipate significant Federal funding since the grants program ended back in 1990, but significant construction of gray and green infrastructure will be critical to the program's success.

We'll see if this final Obama SOTU references the infrastructure challenges—and opportunities—facing the nation today.

SERIES: Follow the flow of h2o in Cleveland with #ValueWater, @neorsd and @ClevelandWater

The Value of Water reports each of us use more than 100 gallons of water in a single day. Where does it come from, and where does it go? and what would it be like if the resources or the systems that make it possible didn't exist?

This month's Imagine A Day Without Water campaign concludes with our tour of the urban water cycle in Cleveland. Our water partners Cleveland Water manage the drinking water side of the cycle while we take care of the wastewater. Through our combined efforts and infrastructure, our agencies deliver and collect hundreds of millions of gallons of water every single day.

Every hour today, we'll focus on a different aspect of the urban water cycle, and bring you the stats and stories that connect our work to your lives. Check some of the updates below.

GAME: The only #GOPdebate drinking (water) game you need

The best way to drink responsibly is to drink water, and lots of it.

So while Rolling Stone Magazine and many others have gotten attention for their #GOPdebate "drinking games" in advance of Cleveland's event tonight, we recommend the following: A drinking water game about water.

• When a candidate mentions Cleveland? Water.
• "Infrastructure" reference? Water.
• When you see a candidate sip from a water glass? Water.
• "Lake Erie" or a Great Lakes reference? Water.

Print your own sheet, turn on that kitchen tap, and stay hydrated while you play along. (And with the RNC coming to town next year, you might as well print extra copies.)

RELATED NEWS:

• #GOPdebate: 3 ways water could make a cameo appearance at the first Republican debate
• INFRASTRUCTURE: President Obama talks about infrastructure priorities at The City Club
• CONSTRUCTION: Public Square renovation, including stormwater management features, on schedule for completion before 2016 RNC

2016: 3 ways water could take center stage at Thursday's Republican debate #GOPdebate

Senator Marco Rubio sips water during the GOP response to the 2013 State of the Union address.

We don't often talk politics. We talk water. But with the first 2016 Republican Debate taking place this Thursday right here in Cleveland, hey let's talk both.

Water could very well take center stage with the candidates this week, and we see three areas where it's most likely to happen.

1. Public speaking and staying hydrated

When Paul Ryan (R-WI) debated now Vice President Joe Biden in 2012, much attention was paid to his many sips of water between questions.

Whatever side of the aisle you're on, professional public speakers do recommend drinking plenty of water before big speaking engagements to keep oneself hydrated and dry-mouth-free on stage.

But as Senator Marco Rubio can attest, drinking water—bottled water BTW—during a big speech caaaaan get a little awkward.

LOOK: What happens one hour after drinking one glass of tap water

The possible health effects of a can of soda have been blogged and tweeted about for a long time, most recently in an infographic that made its rounds this week.

How your body responds to a glass of tap water? Perhaps even more shocking.

View full size.

EVENT: Go underground and behind the scenes as we #FollowTheFlow during Infrastructure Week May 11

"Go with the flow" has a meaning of its own. "Follow the flow" is going to get a little more interesting.

May 11-15 marks the third year for Infrastructure Week, a national celebration of country’s infrastructure systems and the essential role they play in our economy. To celebrate Infrastructure Week 2015, the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District is planning a week-long series of behind-the-scenes tours for local media and elected officials, and you can #FollowTheFlow with the Sewer District all Infrastructure Week long and trace wastewater’s path from the sewer system to Lake Erie.

Here's what we're planning and we'll be covering it all week long on Twitter, Instagram and Periscope.

WATCH: Explosion in NY sewer sends manhole cover flying

Even for sewer professionals who spend their careers underground, there are countless unknowns lurking in the sewer system. Dangers are just as common.

As a Buffalo, NY news crew covers an underground fire, an explosion underground sends a manhole cover flying. Weighing in at least 100 pounds, it gives you an idea of the strength of the blast and the risks maintenance personnel take when they work underground.

Thanks to Scott Broski for the link.

NEWS: Infrastructure "shouldn't be controversial," says President Obama in City Club of Cleveland Q&A

President Barack Obama addressed a crowd of 500 guests at the Global Center for Health and Innovation yesterday, focusing his remarks on the federal budget, middle-class economics and manufacturing opportunities.

But both infrastructure and environmental regulation made it into the President's comments as he welcomed questions from the audience after his speech.



"What has surprised me," said President Obama, when asked what has surprised him most since beginning his first term, "even though I had served in the Senate, was the continued difficulties in Congress getting stuff done that shouldn’t be controversial." He continued:

#SoTU: Three infrastructure nuggets we would not be surprised to hear at tonight's State of the Union

Image credit Wikipedia

In what The Hill calls "an unusual move," the White House has released an overview of the programs that will be unveiled at tonight's State of the Union address.

From tax-code overhauls to expanding broadband internet access, there's not a direct reference to water or sewer infrastructure in President Obama's SOTU highlights so far, but based on recent events, here are three things we wouldn't be surprised to hear.

SUPER BOWL: From football to flush, #SewerBowl stats will have you covered again this year

We're covering the big game from the ground up.

For the second straight year, our #SewerBowl team will talk about the infrastructure and sewer news related to the Super Bowl to make connections to the services many Americans take for granted.

NEWS: Puppy with a badge, new K-9 officer Storm will train for safety, outreach

The Sewer District has begun training a canine officer for work in our Security department, for infrastructure safety and community outreach.

Storm, a two-month-old German Shepherd pup, was brought on board December 15. He will be trained this year as an explosive-detection and human-tracking dog, for security, and emergency-recovery purposes at the District and throughout the region.

Besides infrastructure and employee safety—and the potential for regional collaboration with other K-9 units—Storm will be a unique addition to our outreach efforts, helping promote our PUP program and customer engagement at community events.

FEATURE: Eric's sewer cover design will be a fixture on Project Clean Lake green infrastructure

People are going to look down on and walk all over Eric's artwork for years to come, and those aren't criticisms.

Eric Shebestak of Parma won our Manhole Cover Design Contest over the summer, meaning his illustration will be cast on storm-sewer manhole covers next year as part of several Project Clean Lake green infrastructure projects.

He recently stopped by to pick up his prize and talk with us about the project.

"I work with First Energy along the lake," he said, "so water quality is very important to me, I see it every day."

PHOTOS: 11 images of the underground wonders of unseen infrastructure

The underground is full of wonders to behold. But c'mon, don't break the law to behold them.

An art and architecture publisher recently printed a book featuring stunning photos of London's underground infrastructure. The catch, according to the editor, is that the photos were taken "without permission from anyone," which can pose a number of safety and legal issues.

While we don't advocate unauthorized sewer spelunking expeditions, we completely understand the intrigue of the hidden architectural wonders of a sewer system. The handiwork, the engineering, the labor involved, it really can be amazing.

Here are some of our favorite recent images showcasing these characteristics of our own system hidden below northeast Ohio. These images were taken by our employees or contractors.

#WaterWorks: Pipes, problems, and potential? Why water infrastructure stands in the national spotlight today.

 

Efficiency doesn't always make headlines.

Today, a national summit in Washington, D.C. is trying to change that by bringing attention to the water infrastructure our entire country relies on and yet so often overlooks.

The goal is to raise awareness of the jobs and economic impact of America's water and sewer projects, a value the Water Research Foundation places at $524 billion over the next decade and more than 289,000 jobs annually. | Download the complete report. Download a national fact sheet.