September 24, 2019
Sierra Club is working in greater Cincinnati to stop sewer overflows and backups of sewage onto people's property, including filling people’s basements with sewage. Implementation of the consent decree has been stymied due to fighting between the City of Cincinnati and Hamilton County who are fighting over control of the sewer system in court.
Key to stopping sewer overflows is setting rates that are fair, equitable and affordable. Impermeable surfaces cause runoff to enter the sewer system and are the biggest drivers of overflows. Yet, the County has yet to implement runoff fees. The County continues to give big discounts to big industrial water users but overcharges small users, like single family homes, with high minimum charges.
In the meantime, several projects from the first phase of the consent decree are months late and several interim “bridge” projects (to be completed in the gap before the second phase is approved) are running late as well. The City and County failed to submit a Phase II plan on time. USEPA has imposed a Phase II on the City and County, although they can still submit a joint Phase II plan for approval. Now time is running out for determining the Capital budget projects for 2020 and beyond. Without an approved Phase II plan, the Regulators’ Phase II plan will need to be implemented, and if it isn’t, fines and penalties apply.
Questions? Email Marilyn Wall with the Sierra Club Miami Group at marilynmwall@gmail.com