U.S. Clean Water Act Settlement in Northeast Ohio to Protect Lake Erie, Revitalize Neighborhoods and Create Green Jobs

WASHINGTON – In December 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Justice Department announced  a comprehensive Clean Water Act settlement with the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District that will address the flow of untreated sewage into Cleveland area waterways and Lake Erie. The settlement will safeguard water quality and protect human health by capturing and treating more than 98 percent of wet weather flows entering the combined sewer system, which services the city of Cleveland and 59 adjoining communities.

It is envisioned that the landmark settlement will revitalize Cleveland communities by investing in green infrastructure.

“This approach will provide the opportunity for the Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District to use this settlement to leverage and strengthen partnerships with community land banks to utilize brownfields and vacant properties for green water infrastructure,” said Mathy Stanislaus, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response. “This will revitalize adjacent neighborhoods and communities and residents will benefit from the transformation of these underutilized lands into new community assets.”

To Learn More:

To read the complete news release, click on U.S. Clean Water Act Settlement in Northeast Ohio to Protect Lake Erie, Revitalize Neighborhoods and Create Green Jobs

Posted December 2010