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First sewer-rate increase in 23 years planned
(by Sali McSherry - December 08, 2010)
First sewer-rate increase in 23 years planned
By SALI McSHERRY
Orange homeowners connected to Woodbran Realty Corp.'s sewage-treatment plant are facing a rate increase in negotiations being held by the village and the company. Rates have not been increased in 23 years.
In April 2009, the village became involved after about 90 homeowners in the Orangewood subdivision received letters in 2008 from Woodbran indicating that they had inflow problems and that they needed to be fixed or their sewer service would be cut off. In some cases, residents faced paying thousands of dollars in repairs. Woodbran agreed to a moratorium on repairs until a resolution could further be explored,
Homeowners are invited to attend a forum at 7 p.m. Dec. 15 at Village Hall with Village Council President Daniel Brown, who has spearheaded the effort, discussing the proposed plan.
Problems for Woodbran relate to infiltration and inflow of storm water into the sanitary-sewer system. The condition was causing significant treatment problems during rain at the plant, Mr. Brown said. The problems were the result of rainwater getting into the sanitary-sewer system, a condition that should not occur, he said.
The proposal would include several component parts related to the upkeep of the sanitary-sewer system. The increase in rates would allow for ongoing maintenance for the existing main lines and "capital equipment upgrades at the plant needed to allow for the management of high flow events until the private property fixes are completed," Mr. Brown said. The village's plan also includes a "rider," he said, on the sewer bill that would create a fund to manage the costs of private property problems.
At that time, Mr. Brown said it was a village-scale issue and individuals didn't have the kind of leverage they needed in dealing with the private utility company.
"I don't think residents individually have the kind of leverage that the village does" in dealing with the private utility company, Mr. Brown said. About 400 households are connected to Woodbran and potentially could have the same problems in the future, he said.
"Recognizing that sewer rates have not increased in over 23 years, it is not surprising that an increase is needed," Mr. Brown said. The increase proposed by Woodbran Realty has been reviewed by an outside third-party expert hired by the village, who concurs with the proposed increase and the plan, he said.
Orange "has simply looked into resolving this complicated issue" on the behalf of the affected homeowners and is seeking their involvement in the process, Mr. Brown said. Alternately, Woodbran would reinstate its efforts to have homeowners correct inflow problems and see a rate increase, which is likely due to the company through the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, according to the independent review, he said.
It's damaging to the treatment plant if it's overburdened with rainwater after heavy downpours, Woodbran Realty President Randy Kertesz said at that time. With increased flow of rainwater into the sewage system, the more expensive it is to treat, he said. For some residents, corrective action could be as easy as replacing a cap for $20, he said, but for others it could cost thousands of dollars
Over a year ago, the company had sanitary-sewer lines tested by United Survey Inc., which determined that clean water from dozens of homes was entering the sanitary-sewer system, Mr. Kertesz said. The company performed a variety of tests, he said, including flow, dye and smoke. Clean water entering the system is a violation of Woodbran's rules and regulations established by PUCO, as well as a violation of Environmental Protection Agency regulations, he said.
The plant serves most of the north side of the village, including 280 homes in Orangewood. Its service area also includes Orangetree, Landerwood Glen, a commercial part of Chagrin Boulevard and Village of Woodmere side streets, as well as a section of Pepper Pike.
Mr. Kertesz had said he does not personally own Woodbran. There are several shareholders in the privately owned sewage-treatment plant, he said.
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