Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District history 1969-2021

1969 

Cuyahoga River fire on June 22 focuses national attention on Cleveland’s pollution problems.

August 1969 issue of TIME Magazine features the Cuyahoga River fire as the first article in a new environment column.

1970 

Congress passes the National Environmental Policy Act.

Ohio Water Pollution Control Board (predecessor of the Ohio EPA) files a court action against the City of Cleveland claiming inadequate and improper disposal of wastewater.

1971 

Suburbs, concerned about pending sewer rate hikes, join in the suit against Cleveland.

1972

Federal Water Pollution Control Amendments (which will lead to the 1977 Clean Water Act) pass to improve water quality.

Ohio EPA established.

United States and Canada sign the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement.

Judge George J. McMonagle’s April 4 court order outlines the formation of the Cleveland Regional Sewer District (CRSD).

Bonds sold for $29.8 million to purchase three treatment plants and large interceptor sewers.

First CRSD Board of Trustees’ meeting is held in July.

Sewer District takes control of three wastewater treatment plants: Easterly (originally built in 1922, but some preliminary testing and screening at this location dates back to 1908), Southerly (built in 1928), and Westerly (built in 1922).

1973

District receives first federal construction grant.

Construction of Northwest Interceptor begins.

1974

District takes over Sewer Control and Industrial Waste departments from City of Cleveland, as well as operation of Beech Hill, Bonnieview, and Wilson Mills pump stations.

President Ford signs the bill creating the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area.

Congress passes the Safe Drinking Water Act.

Ground is broken for the new Westerly wastewater treatment facility, designed to be the “largest physical-chemical treatment center in the world.”

1976

District’s combined sewer overflow (CSO) control system is monitored and operated by a “computer-based real-time data-acquisition system” for the first time.

District assumes control of Laboratory Services at 3090 Broadway Avenue.

First bond sale of $33 million.

1977

Cuyahoga Valley Interceptor construction begins. The 22-mile-long interceptor carries flow to Southerly upon completion in 1984.

Clean Water Act

1978

$118.5 million bond sale.

First Regional Plan for Sewerage and Drainage (RPSD) study identifies 138 storm drainage problem locations across the region.

1979

Cleveland Regional Sewer District officially becomes the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District.

1980

Cuyahoga Valley Interceptor accepts first flow.

1983

District begins development of first Computerized Maintenance Management System.

Northwest Interceptor becomes fully operational.

1984

Major construction of Westerly Wastewater Treatment Center’s physical-chemical process completed.

1985

Construction begins on Heights/Hilltop and Southwest Interceptors.

Administration office purchase and renovation.

Ohio EPA approves our Pre-treatment Program.

1985-1987

Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement is revised, requiring the development of Remedial Action Plans in polluted areas. The Cleveland Harbor in the shipping channel of the Cuyahoga River is one of 43 areas of concern.

1986

District adopts Title 3 Separate Sanitary Sewer Code.

District begins operating the Berea Wastewater Treatment Plant.

1988

Construction of Environmental & Maintenance Services Center begins in Cuyahoga Heights.

Computerized Maintenance Management System goes online.

1989

Cuyahoga River Community Planning Organization formed to help with the Remedial Action Plan.

1990

District receives its last federal construction grant.

Heights/Hilltop Interceptor accepts first flow.

$13.5 million Environmental & Maintenance Services Center opens in Cuyahoga Heights.

1991

First intercommunity relief sewer, Pearl Road, accepts flow.

1992

Cuyahoga River Remedial Action Plan Stage One Report released, summarizing existing pollution problems and sources.

1993

The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath opens in the Cuyahoga Valley National Recreation Area. The trail parallels 22 miles of the Cuyahoga River.

Conversion of Westerly plant from physical-chemical treatment process to biological process begins.

1994

An Ohio EPA survey of the Cuyahoga tributaries shows improving trends in chemical water quality and biological health.

Southwest Interceptor completed.

Construction of Easterly’s three sludge storage tanks, a pumping facility, and a new sludge force main to Southerly (replacing one from 1938) begins.

1995

District begins two-year study focusing on pollution sources in the Mill Creek area.

District puts Westerly’s new and improved biological treatment process online.

1997

Competitiveness Initiatives, focused on cross-training and employee development, begin.

1998

Second Regional Plan for Sewerage and Drainage (RPSD) study identifies 334 storm drainage problem locations, twice as many as were identified in 1978.

2001

A 12-hour operator shift replaces the 8-hour shift. Operators favor the switch by a 2-1 margin and the change is formally adopted in 2002.

2002

Regional Intercommunity Drainage Evaluation (RIDE) study is complete, defining a 522-mile intercommunity regional stream network. Within it, 586 problems across 328 locations. This study would become the foundation of the eventual Regional Stormwater Management Program.

2003

George J. McMonagle Administration Building, dedicated to the judge whose order first established the Regional Sewer District, opens to employees.

2004

District launches its first Internet homepage.

2005

Westerly’s new outfall conduit, extending 4,750 feet into Lake Erie, is placed into service.

Communications & Community Relations department is created in an effort to better serve and connect with residents.

2007

Board gives approval to promote stormwater management.

Erwin Odeal retires after 24 years as Director and Executive Director and 33 years with the District.

Julius Ciaccia becomes Executive Director, the fourth director in the District’s 35-year history.

2008    

The District adopts ethics policy, safeguarding against conflicts of interest and improper conduct

District leads a collaborative effort with local agencies to implement a “nowcast” beach advisory system.

2009    

“Year of the River” marks 40th anniversary of the 1969 fire on the Cuyahoga.

Construction of Southerly’ Renewable Energy Facility (REF) begins. The REF is a state-of-the-art combination of fluidized bed incinerators whose heat generates steam and spins a turbine capable of supplying 25% of the plant’s electrical needs.

District implements Wellness Program for a healthier workforce.

Small Business Enterprise program (renamed Business Opportunity Program in 2011) offers local companies more opportunities to compete for District work.

2010    

Trustees adopt the Regional Stormwater Management Program with a 7-0 vote and the Project Clean Lake consent decree with a 5-2 vote.

2011

Groundbreaking of $198-million Euclid Creek Tunnel launches 25-year Project Clean Lake program.

Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas Judge Thomas J. Pokorny rules that the District has the authority to implement the majority of its Regional Stormwater Management Program.

2012

“Mackenzie,” a 1,500-ton tunnel boring machine, is lowered into the ground to begin digging the Euclid Creek Tunnel.

2013

The District and Cleveland Metroparks celebrate the dedication of the Watershed Stewardship Center at West Creek in Parma. The District also purchases beach-cleaning machines for Metroparks-operated Euclid Beach and Edgewater Park.

Mackenzie completes her three-mile Euclid Creek Tunnel excavation.

The Ohio Eighth District Court of Appeals strikes down the District’s Stormwater program.

Southerly’s Renewable Energy Facility is completed.

Significant construction begins for improvements to attain Project Clean Lake mandates. Easterly becomes the first of our treatment plants to begin making Project Clean Lake improvements because of the major tunnels being constructed in Easterly’s service area that will affect Easterly’s flow volumes.

2014

Good Neighbor Ambassador outreach program ensures residents’ involvement before, during, and after construction in their neighborhoods.

The District launches new internal and external Customer Service initiatives to support its mission.

Trustees approve title changes for the Board-appointed members of the Leadership Team: Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Legal Officer, and Chief Financial Officer.

2015

The “Year of Clean Water” promotes importance of clean water to the region.

District recognized as a “Top Workplace” by the Cleveland Plain Dealer and NorthCoast 99.

Ohio Supreme Court gives final OK to District stormwater program and fee.

Euclid Creek Tunnel is completed $3.6 million under budget.

Dugway Storage Tunnel construction begins.

Southerly REF earns LEED Gold Certification.

District welcomes the public to its first “Sewer University” lecture.

Westerly tests a chemically enhanced high-rate treatment (CEHRT) processes to provide new treatment and disinfection capabilities.

2016

Dedication of renovated Public Square, featuring green infrastructure to manage stormwater.

The Board selects Kyle Dreyfuss-Wells to become CEO of the Sewer District.

2017

District establishes Member Community Infrastructure Program to fund local sewer projects that benefit regional water quality and protect public health.

District recognized as Bike Friendly by League of American Bicyclists

2018

Dugway Storage Tunnel mining complete.

$135 million Westerly Storage Tunnel breaks ground.

Incinerator ash begins being sustainably reused in soil and concrete blends (Kurtz Brothers partnership), reducing landfill impacts and greenhouse gas emissions.

2019

50^th anniversary of the 1969 Cuyahoga River fire, commemorated with a year of celebration River Reborn

2020

Doan Valley Tunnel construction begins

Dugway Storage Tunnel complete $4.6 million under budget.

NEORSD contributes samples to innovative statewide database analyzing wastewater during COVID-19 pandemic.

Consent decree pollution-control program is amended in this its tenth year, a modification that will enhance plant operations, improve water quality, and save customers money in the long run.

2021

Westerly Storage Tunnel mining complete.

District releases first ever Sustainability Plan.

Doan Valley Tunnel goes online.