Fats, Oils and Grease Can Clog Sanitary Sewers, Cause Basement Backups and Costly Repairs

Columbus and central Ohio residents should not pour cooking fats, oils and grease (FOG) down sink drains or toilets after they prepare their Thanksgiving and other holiday meals during this festive season. FOG will clog sewer pipes, causing sewer overflows and basement backups at any time of the year. On average, the cleaning of a FOG sewer clog in the public right of way costs the city at least $1,500 per job; property owners are responsible for cleaning clogs in sewer lines on their own properties.

Upgrades part of mandated 40-year, $2.5 billion Wet Weather Management Plan to improve waterways

The City of Columbus is investing $90 million in improvements at its Jackson Pike Wastewater Treatment Plant that will result in fewer sewer overflows and basement backups, and cleaner waterways. The Jackson Pike upgrades, combined with those at the City’s Southerly Wastewater Treatment Plant, will increase treatment capacity by 50 percent during heavy rains. Today, Mayor Michael B. Coleman and City Council Members announced the Jackson Pike plant improvements currently under construction, part of the $2.5 billion in Ohio EPA mandated projects in the Wet Weather Management Plan. The Jackson Pike plant sits on the site of the City’s first wastewater treatment plant built one hundred years ago.

Project Latest In $70.7 Million Investment In Storm Sewer Projects Since 2000, Including Large Projects In Eastmoor/Berwick and Krumm Park Areas

A City of Columbus $2.1 million storm sewer project will relieve flooding near a Hilltop intersection and provide new storm sewers for six streets in the area. The project, started in June and scheduled for completion in the spring of 2009, addresses residents’ complaints of flooding on Midland Avenue immediately north of Eakin Road. The project is the latest in Columbus’ ongoing effort to reduce flooding across the City.

On Wednesday, January 9, 2008, The Division of Power and Water within the Columbus Department of Public Utilities issued a precautionary Boil Water Advisory for businesses near the Greater Columbus Convention Center.  After sampling and testing the water from this area, no contamination has been found. The Boil Water Advisory is now cancelled and no longer necessary.

On Sunday, June 8, 2008, The Division of Power and Water within the Columbus Department of Public Utilities issued a precautionary Boil Water Advisory for residents and businesses north of the intersection of North Waggoner Road and East Broad Street on the far east side.  After sampling and testing the water from this area, no contamination has been found. The Boil Water Advisory is now cancelled and is no longer necessary.

Residents in three areas served by City of Columbus water no longer will need to limit their water usage. AEP has restored power to three Department of Public Utilities water booster stations that had been running on generators since Sunday, severely limiting their capacities.

No water boil advisories were needed during the voluntary limits on water usage.

Water Plants Continue Operation, Water Supply Safe

The Department of Public Utilities advises residents in three areas served by City of Columbus water to limit water usage after Sunday’s wind storm knocked out power to three water booster stations until further notice. The booster stations in the affected areas lost power and are currently running on generators, which severely limits their capacities. Residents in the affected areas may experience lower than normal water pressure. No water boil advisories are needed.

Drinking Water Treatment Plants, Drinking Water Supply, Safe

The City of Columbus is closely monitoring rising cryptosporidium, or “crypto,” levels in the Scioto River immediately south of the Jackson Pike and Southerly wastewater treatment plants. The city’s drinking water supply at its Dublin Road, Parsons Avenue and Hap Cremean water treatment plants has not been affected. The city’s Griggs, Hoover and O’Shaughnessy reservoirs also are not affected.

New Water Lines And Hydrants on 12 Streets To Improve Water Flow For Residents and Firefighters

Residents in the north University and south Clintonville areas will experience improved water pressure upon completion of a $3.2 million water line improvements project that is about to begin. The project, which will include 23 new fire hydrants to replace 15 old hydrants, will also improve water flow for firefighters.

Need To Keep Sewer Rates Affordable Will Remain Priority (Columbus) Mayor Michael B. Coleman and City Council are pleased the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has given draft approval to the City’s $2.5 billion, Wet Weather Management Plan (WWMP). The plan will dramatically reduce sewer overflows and basement backups during heavy rains and result in cleaner local waterways. The WWMP, submitted to Ohio EPA July 1, 2005, proposed a 40-year schedule and will bring the City into compliance with two consent orders signed with the State of Ohio in 2002 and 2004. Ohio EPA will accept public comment on the plan through August 25.

Columbus and central Ohio water and sewer customers living in poverty would receive greater consideration if Congress passes legislation aimed at requiring the US Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) to revise their guidelines for Clean Water investment programs. City of Columbus officials helped craft the Clean Water Affordability Act, bi-partisan legislation sponsored by Ohio Senators George Voinovich and Sherrod Brown introduced on August 4, 2008. Under the legislation, the USEPA would be required to revise outdated guidelines used to determine how much cities can afford in paying for the programs. The legislation would have no immediate affect on local water and sewer rates, but will give Columbus and other cities the ability to have more accurate representation of the financial impacts of clean water investment programs on the local communities. Columbus is currently in the midst of its Ohio EPA mandated $2.5 billion Wet Weather Management Plan (WWMP) that will reduce sewer overflows and basement backups.

Annual Report Released to Water Customers

The City of Columbus’ annual report on its drinking water shows the water pumped to more than one million customers again meets or surpasses all minimum requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act and all other state and federal health standards. The 2007 Drinking Water Consumer Confidence Report is being mailed to all water customers who are served by the Department of Public Utilities. The report provides details about Columbus’ drinking water quality, common concerns about water quality and the treatment process.

John E. Foster Minority Engineering Fund Honors Memory of Columbus Late African-American Business Leader, Mentor

Columbus Alternative High School seniors Alaina Mathis and Carlos Whye will pursue their college degrees in civil engineering thanks to the first ever John E. Foster Minority Engineering College Scholarships. Mayor Michael B. Coleman, Councilmember Andrew J. Ginther, Foster’s son Vintage and representatives of local engineering firms presented the scholarships to the students during a June 12 ceremony. The scholarships honor the late John E. Foster, who passed away in August 2007. Foster was a long time Columbus business and community leader who founded the engineering and architecture firm that bears his name. Mathis will attend Columbus State Community College; Whye will attend The Ohio State University.

The Division of Power and Water within the Columbus Department of Public Utilities advises customers of a temporary loss of water service this morning after a break of a hydrant valve connected to a 30-inch water main line near North Waggoner Road and East Broad Street on the far east side.

As a precautionary measure, those who experienced a temporary loss of water service are advised to boil all water used for cooking and drinking for one (1) minute until further notice.  Media will be notified of the “Boil Water Cancellation” after the Division of Power and Water has completed necessary sampling and analysis of the water.

$1 Million Project Means Brighter Lighting, Safer Streets

Last July, Mayor Michael B. Coleman and Ohio State University students broke ground for 150 new streetlights in the campus area with a projected completion date of July 2008. Today, four months ahead of schedule, the Mayor, OSU students, City Council, OSU President E. Gordon Gee and neighbors turned on the lights in a dedication ceremony near the Summit United Methodist Church. The nearly $1 million project upgraded street lights installed in the 1970s to improve safety in the neighborhood.

Dry Weather Sewer Overflows Drop for Third Year

The City of Columbus continued to make progress at reducing dry weather sewer overflows and sanitary sewer overflow points in 2007, through ongoing Department of Public Utilities projects and programs. The results are contained in the 2007 City of Columbus Sanitary Sewer Overflow and Water in Basement Report, which was recently completed and submitted to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA). OEPA regulations require the report to be filed annually with the agency. The City also continues to work to reduce overflows from heavy storms in areas with older, combined sewers through the 40-year, $2.5 billion Wet Weather Management Plan. The plan was filed with the Ohio EPA in July 2005 as required under the city’s consent agreement with the State of Ohio on sanitary sewer overflows.

Volunteers Come Together to Clean Shorelines throughout May

Families, schools, churches, neighborhood organizations and local businesses are encouraged to “hit the streams” as volunteers during May for the city’s seventh annual Central Ohio River Pride Month. The Columbus Department of Public Utilities-sponsored events offer more ways for volunteers to “get green” and help clean up our waterways.

City Crews move to clear ice from catch basins, Mayor asks residents to do their part to prevent flooding.

As Department of Public Utilities employees continue to assist Public Service Department crews in plowing Columbus’ streets, they are beginning to clear melting ice and snow from catch basins. Mayor Michael B. Coleman is asking residents to step up and do their part by shoveling walks and to prevent flooding by moving melting snow and ice from catch basins on their street as  temperatures rise again this week.

“Focusing On Small Businesses, Achieving Big Results” Theme Of 7th Annual Small Business Forum and Expo

Columbus is working to help small businesses grow and do business with City Departments on public projects and services through the Small Business Forum and Expo, on Wednesday, March 26, 7 a.m. to Noon, at Veterans Memorial, 300 West Broad Street. This 7th annual event will be kicked off by Mayor Michael B. Coleman, as hundreds of local business owners get to hear from, and meet with, City purchasing and contracting teams. There will also be presentations by larger local firms sharing their experiences, and mentoring smaller companies on how best to compete for contracting and subcontracting opportunities.

The Division of Power and Water within the Columbus Department of Public Utilities advises customers of a temporary loss of water service early this morning after a 16-inch water line break under the Greater Columbus Convention Center on North High Street.
As a precautionary measure, those who experienced a temporary loss of water service are advised to boil all water used for cooking and drinking for one (1) minute until further notice.  Media will be notified of the “Boil Water Cancellation” after the Division of Power and Water has completed necessary sampling and analysis of the water.