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Sewer district outlines multi‑million‑dollar stormwater projects to reduce Parma flooding
Summary
The Northeast sewer district updated Parma council on completed and ongoing stormwater projects—Baldwin Creek (Bonney Banks), Del Haven, Veterans Basin and a planned Big Creek restoration—listing total local investment of about $29 million and detailing home acquisitions and construction schedules.
Nicole Velez, watershed project lead for the regional sewer district, told the public service committee the district has spent about $29 million on stormwater projects in Parma and provided a status update on major sites designed to reduce basement backups and overland flooding.
Velez said the Bonney Banks (Baldwin Creek) basin is the district’s largest in Parma and now holds about 20,000,000 gallons after a 50 percent expansion; the project reached substantial completion and is in a one‑year warranty period. "This basin is our largest storm water basin in Parma, holding 20,000,000 gallons of storm water," Velez said. The district plans aesthetic plantings on the basin’s western perimeter near a playground and will monitor vegetation during the warranty period.
Construction is underway on the Del Haven (West Pleasant Valley/York) regional basin, designed to hold nearly 7,000,000 gallons. That site required wetland mitigation; the district purchased several acres of isolated wetlands in the Baldwin Creek watershed and is coordinating home acquisitions on West Pleasant Valley Road. Velez said the district and the city have acquired 19 homes to date; the city purchased two additional homes and the district said it is in talks with nine families about voluntary purchases. Excavation and restoration work is scheduled through fall with plantings and monitoring planned into spring.
The West Creek Veterans Basin—a dry detention basin now under construction—will hold more than 15,000,000 gallons, Velez said. She noted the project raised the basin’s level of service from 10‑year to 100‑year design storm standards by increasing capacity and dredging. The Big Creek stream restoration near Ridge Road is at 100 percent design for a 1.5‑mile restoration project (realignment, floodplain expansion and exposed sanitary sewer corrections) but does not yet have a construction notice to proceed.
Velez summarized the district’s approach: a mix of regional basins, stream restoration and targeted acquisitions. She emphasized the program’s dual goals of flood reduction and water‑quality improvements and offered residents outreach: a utility resource fair at Tri‑C West in August and monthly Saturday customer service hours for bill or program help.
Council and administration members praised the district’s work and noted early evidence of reduced flooding in areas served by completed projects. The mayor and council members asked the district to continue community outreach and to coordinate remaining sewer‑capacity work with local sanitary projects.
What comes next: Del Haven excavation will continue through fall; Veterans and Bonney Banks will move into restoration and planting in October with monitoring into spring. The district will continue acquisition conversations with affected homeowners and report progress to council.
