During a recent government meeting, officials discussed critical issues regarding the sanitary and storm sewer systems in the Marnell and Ascot areas. The meeting highlighted significant concerns about illegal connections and the infiltration of stormwater into the sanitary sewer system, which has led to increased flow rates and basement flooding during heavy rains.

A presentation revealed that one house in the area was improperly connected to the sanitary sewer, with a downspout draining directly into the system. Additionally, tree roots from another property had cracked the sewer pipes, exacerbating the problem. Officials emphasized that storm sewers, which are designed to handle larger volumes of water, should remain separate from sanitary sewers, which are typically smaller in size.

The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NERSD) has been actively involved in addressing these issues since 2015, conducting flow monitoring and testing to identify problem areas. Their investigations revealed that during wet weather, the flow in the sewers was nearly five times the average expected amount. This prompted recommendations for grouting mainline sewers to prevent stormwater from entering the sanitary system.

In 2020, following significant rain events that caused basement backups, GPD distributed a flooding questionnaire to residents, receiving mixed responses regarding flooding history. The findings indicated that while some properties reported no flooding, others had a history of issues. As a result, officials recommended further testing and residential screenings to identify and rectify improper connections.

The meeting concluded with a call for increased capacity along Marnell and a proposed $44 million investment in city-wide recommendations to tackle the infiltration and inflow (I/I) issues plaguing the sewer systems. The discussions underscored the importance of maintaining the integrity of the sewer systems to prevent future flooding and ensure public safety.