2006-064 Ordinance - Laserfiche WebLink

Home Browse Search

Plan of Study for City of North Olmsted Phase I by Floyd Browne Group January 4, 2006 (SSDCP) in November, 2002 that related to managing various aspects of the wastewater facilities. The report reflects extensively on the sanitary sewer collection system and specifically on the Extraneous Flow Reduction Policy and the approximate 555,000 lineal feet of sanitary sewers. This document also discusses the interrelationship between the storm drainage facilities and the separate sanitary sewer system (Chapter 6, Pages 1-41), and offers a good analysis of the situation. Page 8 highlights the essence of the City's Extraneous Flow Reduction Policy as follows (abbreviated): 1. Extraneous flow from the sanitary sewer system that degrades water of the State. 2. Extraneous flow that backs up into dwellings. 3. Extraneous flow that occupies capacity needed in the sewers. 4. Extraneous flow that induces flow(s) to the environment other than those expected. It is unmistakable that the topography of the City of North Olmsted, especially as it impacts areas vulnerable in high water events, is the common denominator in the equation involving the above four factors. The City and surrounding region is part of the Lake Erie plains -Flat. This is not a revelation to anyone. This feature has significant consequences when identifying the extent of the linkage between the storm and sanitary system in the community. This study seeks to further examine the linkages between the two systems. In the past, great effort and financial resources have been expended on the "public side" of the sanitary sewer network. To some extent, even the private sanitary sewer laterals were checked for defects - an unusual and laudable activity for a public body in the state. Clearly, the City recognizes that extraneous flow reduction is not merely an "event" (albeit expensive) but demands constant attention. The essential question this Plan of Study seeks to answer is where to best spend time, energy and financial resources? Should another effort be launched on the public side to the tune of many more millions? Maybe energy and money could be better utilized by looking at factors such as the extraneous flow contributions coming from private property? The City certainly has the impetus to answer this question aside from OEPA involvement. Indeed, the lower level of homes and basements in the City are experiencing occasional water back-ups, especially in the northeast portions of town. In addition, bypass pumping from the sanitary to the storm system was needed to protect property values. These areas are identified as the tributary areas of the sanitary sewers to the Dover and LeBern pumping stations. Foundation drains are a suspected source of extraneous water due to the general style and vintage of homes in the Chase, Deerfield, Woodmere, Maple Ridge, Frank, Lessner, Stoneybrook, and Sudbury Drive areas among other residential streets. These 1960s era dwellings count many "split level" homes in which the lower floor is constructed below grade. In many cases, it was common practice for foundation drains to be connected into the sanitary sewer lateral. Foundation drains release hydrostatic pressure from the soil structure as water ponds on the surface. Occasionally foundation drains serve as a direct storm water connection. During dry weather, when soil cracking is observed, a sudden summer downpour can funnel surface water to foundation drains in a matter of minutes. The City of North Olmsted retained the engineering consulting firm of Floyd Browne Group to develop the Plan of Study. The study approach called for Floyd Browne to work closely with the City's wastewater staff because investigative activities would literally carry the effort to the front doors of homeowners. The City seeks to provide both Internal and External answers about the sanitary sewer system before launching another wastewater management effort as follows: 2