RATES: Check your bills this quarter for the latest news on rates, stormwater, cost-saving

Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District customers billed by Cleveland Water will receive a bill insert this quarter offering a reminder of the upcoming rate changes, cost-saving opportunities, and Regional Stormwater Management Program news.

A copy of the insert content is featured below.

LIST: Fees to remedy stormwater problems set to resume in July. 3 things to know in our latest #StormwaterProgram update

Since being authorized last September, the Sewer District has been preparing for a July 2016 restart of assessing regional stormwater management program fees. 

An informational postcard will be mailed to customers this summer to remind them of the upcoming charges, explain how the fee is assessed and spent, and promote opportunities for credits by managing stormwater on their property. Besides the comprehensive FAQ we have available, here are 3 of the latest things to know.

1. The program's plans aim to address stormwater problems

Solving stormwater problems (flooding, erosion, pollution) can be difficult, since runoff from hard surfaces in one community drains into another. A Stormwater Management Program provides a regional approach to these problems. The Sewer District’s Regional Stormwater Management Program addresses flooding, erosion, and pollution problems by:

• building projects,
• maintaining streams and large pipes that carry stormwater,
• addressing regional drainage problems,
• providing technical expertise to communities, and
• developing green space.

2. The fee is assessed based on impervious surface.

The more impervious surfaces—parking lots, rooftops, and driveways—on your property, the greater your stormwater fee. Visit our online FeeFinder neorsd.org/FindMyFee to determine your stormwater fee.

Residential properties

The fee is based on an Equivalent Residential Unit (ERU) equal to 3,000 sq. ft. of impervious surface, such as roof and driveway. The rate for one (1) ERU is $5.15 per month. Residences are placed in one of three categories:

• Tier 1 (less than 2,000 sq. ft. impervious surface)
• Tier 2 (2,000 to 4,000 sq. ft.)
• Tier 3 (more than 4,000 sq. ft.)

For 2016, a Tier 1 house pays $3.09 per month, a Tier 2 house pays $5.15, and a Tier 3 house pays $9.27.

Non-residential properties

A non-residential property is billed on the total number of ERUs of impervious surface it has. Visit our online FeeFinder to determine what you will be charged: neorsd.org/FindMyFee


3. You have opportunities to reduce your stormwater fee.

Customers can receive a fee reduction—known as a fee credit—if they take measures to manage stormwater flowing from their properties. (Examples include rain barrels, rain gardens, and cisterns.) You can learn more about these credits and educational resources at neorsd.org/stormwater or contact a Watershed Team Leader for details about opportunities on your property.

Contact us

If you have stormwater fee questions, check out our FAQ, or you can reach us in several ways:

• Twitter @neorsd #StormwaterProgram 
• Facebook
• Ask our Customer Service staff
• Call (216) 881-8247
• Visit one of our traveling Roadshow events this summer coming to a community near you

RATES: 2016 rates take effect January 1, cost-saving programs available to eligible customers

The 2016 rates in blue take effect January 1, 2016.

On January 1, 2016, our Cleveland sewer rate increases to $78.05 per MCF (1,000 cubic feet of water or 7,480 gallons) and suburban rates increase to $79.85 per MCF. See the full rate schedule.

Reduced rates are available to customers who meet Homestead or Affordability Program criteria. We also have other cost-saving programs available.

The increases seen in the 2012-2016 rate schedule are due to major construction projects and a 25-year program to reduce combined sewer overflows known as Project Clean Lake. We are currently finishing a rate study to determine the next rate schedule slated to begin in 2017.

RELATED NEWS:

• SAVE: Four cost-saving programs may help you reduce your sewer bill 
• NEWS: Euclid Creek Tunnel completed $3.6 million under budget
• VIDEO: Take Christen and Ryan's 2-minute treatment plant tour

RATES: 2015 rates take effect January 1, find out if you qualify for cost-saving programs

On January 1, 2015, our Cleveland sewer rate increases to $69.65 per MCF (1,000 cubic feet of water or 7,480 gallons) and suburban rates increase to $71.75 per MCF. See the full rate schedule.

Reduced rates are available to customers who meet Homestead or Affordability Program criteria. We also have other cost-saving programs available.

The increases seen in the 2012-2016 rate schedule are due to major construction projects and a 25-year program to reduce combined sewer overflows known as Project Clean Lake. We will conduct a study in 2015 to determine the next rate schedule slated to begin in 2017.

RATES: New 2014 rates go into effect January 1, four ways to save

Our 2014 rate schedule goes into effect January 1, and there are four cost-saving programs available for qualifying customers.

The 2014 base charge is $6.60 per bill. Cleveland residents pay $62.15 per MCF ($37.75 for Homestead or Affordability Program customers), and suburban customers pay $64.55 per MCF ($38.95 for Homestead or Affordability Program customers). One MCF is 1,000 cubic feet of water consumption, equal to 7,480 gallons. Rates are charged based on actual consumption. See the full 2014-2016 rate schedule.

The 2012-2016 rates are based on maintenance and operation needs, but also account for major infrastructure investments like Project Clean Lake, a 25-year $3 billion plan to reduce pollution in Lake Erie by about 4 billion gallons a year by 2035.

We do offer four cost-saving programs that can help eligible customers pay a reduced rate: Homestead, Wastewater Affordability, Summer Sprinkling, and Crisis Assistance. All of these are briefly referenced below and detailed at neorsd.org/save.

STORMWATER: "Rain delay sponsored by the Sewer District?"

Weather could be questionable for this weekend's Cleveland Indians games, so if you're tuned in to watch the Tribe play on SportsTime Ohio, you could see a "rain delay" graphic brought to you by the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District.

It has nothing to do with the play on the field, but it has everything to do with stormwater.

STORMWATER: Houses of the holey? Pervious pavement, other options might be right for your home.

When it comes to reducing runoff, you might want to consider a hole new direction.

Customers in our service area are getting their first look at their property's stormwater charges, and we've received many calls from customers wondering how they can reduce their fees.

It all comes down to reducing stormwater runoff on your property. And if you are looking to make property improvements this spring, stormwater-control measures—rain barrels, rain gardens, filter strips, or reduction of impervious surface—may be worth considering. Today's topic: Pervious pavement.

Pervious pavements are designed to allow percolation or infiltration of stormwater through tiny holes or separations in the surface into the soil below where the water is naturally filtered and pollutants are removed.

Why consider it? Because our program fee is based on the area of impervious surface on a customer's property (hard surfaces contribute to regional stream problems associated with runoff), replacing impervious surface with pervious surface reduces runoff as a means of managing stormwater. The credit can help you reduce your fee and save you money in the long run.

SAVE: Affordability Program app available online

Administered by partners at the Cleveland Housing Network, Wastewater Affordability Program applications are now available as a PDF download from CHN's website.

• Link to CHN's utility assistance programs
• Download a Wastewater Affordability Program PDF application
• Learn more about our cost-saving programs

The Sewer District's wastewater affordability program—along with expansion of its Homestead program—were launched in 2011 as part of its 2012-2016 rates schedule. All of the Sewer District's cost-saving programs were promoted with a customer mailing in November that resulted in Customer Service call volumes more than six times its weekly average.

Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District and Cleveland Division of Water customers may apply if they meet the income guidelines posted on CHN's utility assistance page. 

The Sewer District also is developing a crisis assistance program that will benefit customers affected by a major event in their lives, such as major medical expenses not covered by any other source, job loss, separation, or divorce. The program will offer financial assistance (up to $300) toward your account and suspends water shut-off action. Program details will be available later this year.

CUSTOMERS: Call volumes higher as interest in savings programs grows

Call volumes to our Customer Service department are higher this week as residents are applying for and requesting details about the Sewer District's expanded cost-saving programs.

Last Thursday, the Sewer District began mailing its letter to customers explaining the 2012 rate schedule and new program offerings, and residents began receiving those letters yesterday.

Our Customer Service representatives are working efficiently to answer customers' questions. You may also visit our Ask Us! page to submit your question online.

NEWS: Customers will receive letter this week explaining rates, saving programs

Sewer bills are going up the first quarter of 2012, and all Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District customers will receive a letter being mailed this week explaining the 2012 rate schedule and new cost-saving programs.

Read the letter | Download the cost-saving programs brochure

Now apply for summer sprinkling program online

Yesterday, our Customer Service department launched its new online application for the summer sprinkling rate-saving program. View the form.