The Responsible Approach to the Water Treatment Project

In 2007, the City of Euclid began long term upgrades to the wastewater treatment system that serves Euclid, Wickliffe, Willowick and portions of Richmond Heights, Willoughby Hills, Highland Heights and South Euclid.  An agreement, a consent decree, was approved by the United States EPA, the State of Ohio and the federal court in Cleveland and requires Euclid and its satellite communities to improve the way combined sanitary and storm flows are treated before being discharged into Euclid Creek and Lake Erie.  The goal of the projects, to be completed by 2025, is to improve water quality in the lake and requires improvements at the treatment plant as well as in the collection system.  The planned improvements incorporate the latest treatment processes and the use of methods to capture storm water in sustainable and cost efficient ways that keep customer rates at the lowest possible levels.

Recently, a national engineering firm was invited by Council members to talk about methods for removing storm water from the treatment process.   I want to share with you some of the projects that have been undertaken by public and private entities under City review and supervision to address storm water management.  Green infrastructure has been an integral part of the City of Euclid’s Storm Water Program. We have partnered with private entities such as Lincoln Electric and University Hospitals, public entities such as the Euclid Schools and many others in the city utilizing the Cuyahoga County Soil and Water group to develop green infrastructure in their construction and expansion plans.   I am sure they would not characterize their efforts in green infrastructure as insignificant.   These projects, and the many more to come, will decrease the storm flow that is being sent to the treatment plant for processing.  Combining green projects with the collection system and plant improvements and by using the latest technology, the City will meet its deadline under the consent decree in a way that keeps our sewer rates significantly below those of many neighboring systems.   The City has undertaken its’ planning with the assistance of professionals in the field of engineering, construction, systems design, legal services and accounting.  Aggressive cost control has been achieved with assistance from our partners, and the efforts have led to the successful pursuit of federal grants and low interest loans.  To date, the City has secured $13,467,400 in grants and $2,694,700 in no-interest loans.  

As Mayor, I will continue to work with my administration and partners to find solutions that will protect our great resource, Lake Erie, and the health for all using its waters for daily living and recreation.  I will look at new methods, green and otherwise, that are proven to work for the long term and in a manner that is responsible to the residents and businesses that depend on the wastewater system and pay for its cost of operation.   I cannot allow our efforts to be derailed and jeopardize millions in savings to our rate payers that would result from delaying the projects already planned.  That would be irresponsible and foolish, to say the least.  The Administration will keep our system users informed regarding the specific projects as they are planned and ready to implement.  In addition, periodic public updates will be available through meetings and on-line sources.

Mayor Bill Cervenik