[ back ]
Residents step up with storm-system repairs
(by Sue Reid - May 12, 2010)
Residents step up with storm-system repairs
By SUE REID
Solon Public Works Director James S. Stanek told City Council's public works committee last week that he is encouraged by the 11 residents of the "ABC" streets who have had storm-sewer repairs on their private property.
"The toughest project we fight is getting those problems fixed," Mr. Stanek said. "The 11 residents have corrected their problems, and we have been back to retest. It doesn't sound like a lot, but every house counts."
Not only was that area hit after the floods of June 2006, but even more, Mr. Stanek said, flow monitoring detailed that the homes in the "ABC" streets experienced the highest level of inflow and infiltration.
"We did a nine-month flow-monitoring study," Mr. Stanek said. "Based on how much rainwater got into the system, we determined which areas had the biggest problems.
"The potential for that sanitary sewer to be overwhelmed is greater then perhaps some other areas of town," he said.
The city has done a lot of sanitary and storm-water testing done on the "ABC" streets, beginning smoke and dye testing in 2008.
"That's the private-property work," he said. "We've worked there on the public side in 2007. There are no city fees associated with correcting the work.
"We've been lenient from that standpoint," Mr. Stanek said.
He said that in addition to the 11 who have corrected problems, there are another seven residents in the process of getting permits.
"They are working toward making the corrections," he said.
Then there are another seven who are ignoring the notice of violation and another five who never responded to the initial letters of notice. Mr. Stanek said that the city probably will have to take other means of addressing the issues.
"By ordinance, it's clear we have the authority to do that," Mr. Stanek said. Whether it is fines or something more aggressive has yet to be determined, he said. Mr. Stanek said he will meet with the city's law director on the issue.
Mr. Stanek said of the problems addressed, the majority was for downspouts connected to the sanitary sewer and the cost the residents had to incur for this was not significant.
"In most cases, it was not a lot of money," he said.
Addressing these issues on private property has benefits for the city, Mr. Stanek said.
"We think it's a significant part of the problem," he said of the inflow and infiltration that can lead to the flooding of the basements of residential properties.
"Every time we can get someone to contribute to the fix, we're getting closer to having as good a working system as we could hope for," Mr. Stanek said.
[ back ]
