CSO consent decree, not rate increase, on Dec. 2 meeting agenda

The agenda for the Sewer District’s December 2 Board of Trustees meeting includes an amendment to a resolution adopted in 2005 which would authorize District staff to execute the proposed 25-year agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency. There will not be a vote to increase rates for the years 2012-2016 at this meeting.

The agenda for the December 2, 2010 meeting of the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District’s Board of Trustees includes Resolution 353-10, an amendment to Resolution No. 55-05, originally adopted March 3, 2005. This resolution would modify the schedule of the Sewer District’s Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO) Long-Term Control Plan and authorize Sewer District staff to execute the proposed Consent Decree. There will not be a vote to increase rates for the years 2012-2016 at this meeting.

The Consent Decree is an agreement between the Sewer District, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Ohio EPA that formally outlines the Sewer District’s plans to reduce sewage overflows to the environment from more than four billion gallons each year to fewer than 500 million. This results in a 98 percent capture rate for all sewage entering the combined sewer system, bringing the Sewer District in compliance with a Clean Water Act mandate. This plan, dubbed Project Clean Lake, will cost an estimated $3 billion over the next 25 years.

“It is essential that we inform the public of our plans and clarify misinformation presented by others,” said NEORSD Board of Trustees President Darnell Brown. “At our December 2 meeting, we will consider amending the resolution passed in 2005 and authorizing the Sewer District to sign the consent decree with the EPA. We will not vote, nor did we ever plan to vote, on a rate increase at this meeting.”

The agenda also includes a resolution to enter into agreement with McNally/Kiewit ECT JV, the contractor chosen to construct the Euclid Creek Tunnel. This contract is for $198,643,000 and is the first in a series of tunnels planned since 2004 that will be constructed under Project Clean Lake.

The Sewer District is currently conducting a rate study scheduled to be completed in December 2010. New rates for 2012-2016 will not be considered until Spring 2011 or later after public meetings discussing rates are held.

Meeting details

Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District

George J. McMonagle Administration Building

3900 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115

Thursday, December 2, 2010, at 12:30 p.m.

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Media Contacts

Jean Chapman, Public Information Specialist, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District
216.881.6600 x6853

Jennifer Elting, Public Information Specialist, Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District
216.881.6600 x6435