EPA and Ohio EPA to Terminate Settlement after Port Clinton, Ohio, Completed Required Wastewater Upgrades
The City of Port Clinton invested $15 million to improve wastewater systems that prevent combined sewer overflows
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Ohio Environmental Protection Agency agreed to terminate the settlement with the City of Port Clinton, Ohio, after the city completed all required actions—upgrading its water system and nearly eliminating combined sewer overflows.
“Today’s action recognizes Port Clinton’s completion of its long-term wastewater upgrades and underscores our shared commitment to protecting Lake Erie,” said EPA Regional Administrator Anne Vogel. “By dramatically reducing combined sewer overflows and strengthening safeguards for the remaining outfall, the city is delivering cleaner water, safer beaches, and healthier habitats for the people and wildlife that depend on the lake.”
"Today's milestone reflects decades of work to modernize Port Clinton's wastewater system and better protect Lake Erie," Ohio EPA Director John Logue said. "Ohio EPA worked closely with the city throughout this process by providing technical assistance and supporting more than $15.6 million in low-interest financing for improvement projects. We look forward to continuing our work together to strengthen wastewater infrastructure, protect the lake, and its watershed for future generations."
“As a community on the shores of Lake Erie, we feel a great responsibility to be stewards of Lake and so we prioritized this important work,” said Mayor Mike Snider. “The lifting of the consent decree is going to open the doors for opportunities in the City of Port Clinton, and we will continue to plan for the future of the wastewater treatment plant and the of growth of our community.”
In 1999, EPA, DOJ and the State of Ohio entered into a settlement with the city for alleged violations of the Clean Water Act, including frequent combined sewer overflows. These events happen when a municipality’s sewer system collects rainwater runoff, domestic sewage and industrial wastewater into one pipe prior to transportation to a treatment plant. During periods of heavy rainfall or flooding, the runoff can overflow, sending untreated stormwater and wastewater into nearby waterways, exposing residents to harmful bacteria and parasites, and endangering the Lake Erie watershed.
The settlement required the city to develop and implement a long-term control plan for its wastewater treatment plant and build a collection system to eliminate combined sewer overflows. The city was also required to ensure the improvements met the necessary requirements of the Clean Water Act.
The city invested millions in upgrades and completed construction of all projects associated with the long-term control plan. With the upgrades in place, the city has eliminated all but one of its combined sewers. For the combined sewer that remains, the city installed a duckbill valve that prevents flow except as authorized by permit. As a result of these measures, the city has achieved and maintained compliance with all provisions of the consent decree and its permit, meeting the qualifications to close the settlement.
Learn more about the Clean Water Act.
Learn more about EPA’s enforcement process.
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