Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Wastewater Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Director says city has spent millions to reduce wastewater overflows; EPA involved in review
Summary
The director of public service/safety told council the city has implemented multiple measures to build capacity at its wastewater treatment plant, spent millions on improvements, and engaged EPA representatives in a conference call as it prepares a formal overflow-elimination report due in November.
The director of public service and safety updated the St. Marys City Council on the city's long-running overflow elimination effort at the wastewater treatment plant, saying staff have taken multiple steps to create additional capacity and have spent millions on improvements.
Among measures described were installing a sludge-drying system, creating extra treatment capacity to handle heavy rain events, outreach to homeowners to reduce illegal sump-pump hookups and plans to establish a small infiltration-and-inflow (I&I) team to inspect and work with homeowners. The director cautioned that the program is technically and administratively complex and that corrective work on private properties can be unpopular because it may impose costs on homeowners.
The director said the city met with Ohio EPA staff (several representatives joined a conference call) and that the EPA 'were pleased' with the steps taken, while noting the agency expects communities to address overflows rather than do nothing. Staff said a formal report will be filed in November and that some remaining projects will be completed as funds and staffing permit.
Council members asked for clarifications on staffing and on the remaining tasks; the director said hiring to backfill critical positions has been difficult but that work continues and additional capital steps remain on the schedule.
