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Do IT this week: Layering
City plans to explore ways to subsidize bills for some residents who have fixed incomes
By Stephanie Warsmith
Beacon Journal staff writer
POSTED: 10:40 p.m. EST, Nov 09, 2009
Akron will consider giving some low-income residents a break on sewer bills that are expected to double or triple to pay for improvements to the city's sewer system, Mayor Don Plusquellic said today.
The city will look into whether residents with fixed incomes, such as those on Social Security, should be charged less, the mayor said. The problem would be how these residents' bills would be subsidized, he said.
''I'm willing to look at alternatives to across-the-board increases,'' Plusquellic said during Akron City Council's Public Utilities Committee meeting today. ''But, somebody has to pay for it.''
Both the committee and council approved a tentative agreement today with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on a decades-long sewer dispute.
Bruce Kilby was the only councilman to vote against the agreement. He said he thought the council needed more time to discuss how the project will be paid for and how to protect the city's poorest residents. He suggested assessing residents based on the square frontage of their property, rather than raising sewer rates.
''We need to talk about a solution before we enter into an agreement,'' said Kilby, who made a motion to delay the vote for a week, which died for lack of a second.
Councilwoman Terry Albanese said a property owner's square footage isn't necessarily an indication of their wealth.
''That doesn't seem to be a fair approach,'' she said.
The agreement, which calls for sewer system renovations to be completed over 19 years, is expected to end a lawsuit over Akron's sewer system overflows that pollute local waterways, including the Cuyahoga and Little Cuyahoga rivers and the Ohio & Erie Canal.
Doubled or tripled rates
The improvements are projected to cost at least $500 million and result in sewer rates doubling or tripling. The council is expected to approve the first rate increase next month, which would begin Jan. 1.
Akron City Council President Marco Sommerville urged Plusquellic to consider giving breaks to some residents, given the sluggish economy. He asked what the city's policy will be for shutting off utility services to those who can't afford the higher rates.
''We need to show compassion,'' he said. ''People are in tough situations.''
Willie Smith, a community activist, asked Plusquellic and council to consider a sliding rate scale for Akron's less fortunate residents.
''There are people who cannot afford another dime right now,'' said Smith, who led a group that pushed for a successful ballot issue last year requiring voter approval before the sale or lease of any city-owned utility. ''It is not feasible for them to have double or triple sewer bills.''
The typical Akron household pays about $23 a month for sewers. That bill could grow to $69 to finance the sewer work — and this amount wouldn't include water usage or trash recycling.
The agreement requires Akron to curtail sewer overflows within 19 years, expand the city's sewage plant, pay a $500,000 penalty and provide $900,000 to improve the Cuyahoga River by removing a dam near state Route 82 in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Akron must complete a study before next August that will determine the extent and cost of the project.
Questions from council
Council members had their first chance today to ask questions about the agreement since getting a copy on Oct. 30.
Councilman Mike Williams wanted to know why Akron is paying for a dam that's not even in the city.
''I don't think this does anything to benefit Akron,'' he said.
Plusquellic said the dam project was a high priority for the state EPA. He said the city agreed to help fund this project, in lieu of paying the same amount in a penalty.
''This was an alternate project, rather than a larger fine,'' he said. ''If we're going to spend it anyway, it's better to spend it on something to improve the quality of the water.''
Kilby asked if any cities have found ways other than sewer increases to fund major sewer projects.
Mike McGlinchy, Akron's public utilities bureau manager, said he's not aware of any other payment methods being used in Ohio. He said Akron will be researching different approaches for funding sewer projects and for handling utility bill delinquencies.
Plusquellic said he isn't thrilled with the agreement but thinks it's the ''best deal we were going to get.'' He said no cities have been successful in fighting the U.S. EPA in sewer lawsuits.
''I will not scream that this is a wonderful thing,'' he said.
Plusquellic said some have suggested that the city go after big companies that may have polluted local waterways to help pay for the the project.
''None of the big businesses are doing enough manufacturing to pollute anything,'' he said. ''This is human waste. . . . It's everyone who uses the toilet.''
The agreement also must be approved by the Justice Department and the Ohio attorney general. There will be a 60-day public comment period in U.S. District Court before Judge John Adams finalizes the pact.
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705 or swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com.
Akron will consider giving some low-income residents a break on sewer bills that are expected to double or triple to pay for improvements to the city's sewer system, Mayor Don Plusquellic said today.
The city will look into whether residents with fixed incomes, such as those on Social Security, should be charged less, the mayor said. The problem would be how these residents' bills would be subsidized, he said.
''I'm willing to look at alternatives to across-the-board increases,'' Plusquellic said during Akron City Council's Public Utilities Committee meeting today. ''But, somebody has to pay for it.''
Both the committee and council approved a tentative agreement today with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on a decades-long sewer dispute.
Bruce Kilby was the only councilman to vote against the agreement. He said he thought the council needed more time to discuss how the project will be paid for and how to protect the city's poorest residents. He suggested assessing residents based on the square frontage of their property, rather than raising sewer rates.
''We need to talk about a solution before we enter into an agreement,'' said Kilby, who made a motion to delay the vote for a week, which died for lack of a second.
Councilwoman Terry Albanese said a property owner's square footage isn't necessarily an indication of their wealth.
''That doesn't seem to be a fair approach,'' she said.
The agreement, which calls for sewer system renovations to be completed over 19 years, is expected to end a lawsuit over Akron's sewer system overflows that pollute local waterways, including the Cuyahoga and Little Cuyahoga rivers and the Ohio & Erie Canal.
Doubled or tripled rates
The improvements are projected to cost at least $500 million and result in sewer rates doubling or tripling. The council is expected to approve the first rate increase next month, which would begin Jan. 1.
Akron City Council President Marco Sommerville urged Plusquellic to consider giving breaks to some residents, given the sluggish economy. He asked what the city's policy will be for shutting off utility services to those who can't afford the higher rates.
''We need to show compassion,'' he said. ''People are in tough situations.''
Willie Smith, a community activist, asked Plusquellic and council to consider a sliding rate scale for Akron's less fortunate residents.
''There are people who cannot afford another dime right now,'' said Smith, who led a group that pushed for a successful ballot issue last year requiring voter approval before the sale or lease of any city-owned utility. ''It is not feasible for them to have double or triple sewer bills.''
The typical Akron household pays about $23 a month for sewers. That bill could grow to $69 to finance the sewer work — and this amount wouldn't include water usage or trash recycling.
The agreement requires Akron to curtail sewer overflows within 19 years, expand the city's sewage plant, pay a $500,000 penalty and provide $900,000 to improve the Cuyahoga River by removing a dam near state Route 82 in the Cuyahoga Valley National Park.
Akron must complete a study before next August that will determine the extent and cost of the project.
Questions from council
Council members had their first chance today to ask questions about the agreement since getting a copy on Oct. 30.
Councilman Mike Williams wanted to know why Akron is paying for a dam that's not even in the city.
''I don't think this does anything to benefit Akron,'' he said.
Plusquellic said the dam project was a high priority for the state EPA. He said the city agreed to help fund this project, in lieu of paying the same amount in a penalty.
''This was an alternate project, rather than a larger fine,'' he said. ''If we're going to spend it anyway, it's better to spend it on something to improve the quality of the water.''
Kilby asked if any cities have found ways other than sewer increases to fund major sewer projects.
Mike McGlinchy, Akron's public utilities bureau manager, said he's not aware of any other payment methods being used in Ohio. He said Akron will be researching different approaches for funding sewer projects and for handling utility bill delinquencies.
Plusquellic said he isn't thrilled with the agreement but thinks it's the ''best deal we were going to get.'' He said no cities have been successful in fighting the U.S. EPA in sewer lawsuits.
''I will not scream that this is a wonderful thing,'' he said.
Plusquellic said some have suggested that the city go after big companies that may have polluted local waterways to help pay for the the project.
''None of the big businesses are doing enough manufacturing to pollute anything,'' he said. ''This is human waste. . . . It's everyone who uses the toilet.''
The agreement also must be approved by the Justice Department and the Ohio attorney general. There will be a 60-day public comment period in U.S. District Court before Judge John Adams finalizes the pact.
Stephanie Warsmith can be reached at 330-996-3705 or swarsmith@thebeaconjournal.com.
Comments
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Cleveland, OH
Posted 10:57 PM, 11/09/2009
Good idea
Barberton, oh
Posted 11:41 PM, 11/09/2009
Both the committee and council approved a tentative agreement today with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
The council is "expected" to approve the first rate increase next month, which would begin Jan. 1.
But as noted below a " Study " doesn't have to be submitted until August, I repeat a " Study ".
But the tax payers of Akron will begin paying Jan 1.
Akron must complete a study before next August that will determine the extent and cost of the project.
''I'm willing to look at alternatives to across-the-board increases,'' Plusquellic said ''But, somebody has to pay for it.''
The problem would be how these residents' bills would be subsidized, he said.
I've included the last two sentences , because once again the Mayor mouth goes into action before his brain does.
Posted 11:53 PM, 11/09/2009
tripling sewer bills...thank Gawd we moved Hower House for a couple million!
Maybe I'll go there to drop a duece
somewhere near you, US
Posted 12:54 AM, 11/10/2009
If nearly everyone in the city is going to be eligible for a break on their sewer bill, how does the don plan on paying the bill for improvements?
Posted 05:59 AM, 11/10/2009
What a joke that Akron would make someone pay for another person's use. This is a rate increase, not a one-time fee. Shouldn't you have to pay for what you use?
He got Akron in this mess, he should find a better way to get it out.
Akron, , OH
Posted 07:15 AM, 11/10/2009
Fools run things!!
akron, OH
Posted 07:36 AM, 11/10/2009
A $50 tax increase...what a way to wake up the 80% of registered Akron voters that sleep through elections.
Akron, OH
Posted 08:13 AM, 11/10/2009
I guess when I can't pay my bill I can blame the Mayor for the downhill spiral that will propbably lead to me walking away from my home due to lack of water of sewer which will now cost more than I pay in electric and gas.
Posted 09:11 AM, 11/10/2009
I'm confused....I pay a bill for the water usage I USE, the sewer bill portion I thought...went to the maintenace for the usage I use....soooo where's the money?
akron, oh
Posted 09:24 AM, 11/10/2009
I wish the mayor and council approached their economic developement ventures with the same question....who's going to pay for it.
Akron, OH
Posted 09:26 AM, 11/10/2009
Thanks to Bruce Kilby for looking out for cash-strapped residents. This problem has been ignored for so long, it’s frankly stupid that a week more consideration could not be given it.
I believe that large dischargers of water into the municipal sewer system should pay proportionally more to fix this problem than a residential toilet-flusher. And shouldn’t a family of 8 be expected to pay more of an increase than a single-person residence?
Has the City even attempted to identify the large dischargers, and pursue capture and/or mitigation strategies with them? (See what Seattle has attempted with rain gardens, for example.) Has the City even run a PSA in its City Council newsletter urging residents to try to send less water down the sewer? It’s not a question of “going after” businesses and large water dischargers, but one of fairness.
I believe Akron has some very creative people. Can’t we even challenge them to try to better manage our water resources before we simply resort to such massive fee increases?
Akron, OH
Posted 09:37 AM, 11/10/2009
===============
Kilby asked if any cities have found ways other than sewer increases to fund major sewer projects.
Mike McGlinchy, Akron's public utilities bureau manager, said he's not aware of any other payment methods being used in Ohio. He said Akron will be researching different approaches for funding sewer projects
===============
Why is Bruce Kilby the only one of the 13 members of City Council to raise the issue of something other than 'user pays' funding for this project?
For those who like to bash Bruce because he is the only member of Council who doesn't say "How high?" when the Mayor barks "Jump!", at least Kilby is out there trying to make sure that the CITIZENS come first in this deal.
Akron, OH
Posted 09:40 AM, 11/10/2009
The city proudly announced last week that trash collection expenses are down by 80% over the past 3 years compared to the previous 3 years.
Since the 'trash' portion of my Akron utility bill hasn't dropped a penny, what has happened to that money?
akron, OH
Posted 09:56 AM, 11/10/2009
After reading his book, Rules for Radicals, Saul Allinsky would organize something like get folks to protest by lining up at City Hall and go flush toilets as a protest or something like that?
Akron, OH
Posted 10:00 AM, 11/10/2009
That's interesting, gene. But this is a town where voter turnout of 25% is considered a great success. Citizen participation in their government like you suggest seems like a dream.
AKRON, OH
Posted 10:34 AM, 11/10/2009
True Republican posted: Shouldn't you have to pay for what you use?
This triple rate increase is not usage.People have not tripled their use.This is a permanent fee that may go up even higher,THANKS TO DON.Seniors and people who are disabled needs to be looked out for.Thanks Mike.I e-mailed him a week or so about this.
AKRON, OH
Posted 10:38 AM, 11/10/2009
Overtaxed Voter posted:Since the 'trash' portion of my Akron utility bill hasn't dropped a penny, what has happened to that money?You know better than to asked that question,When you already know the answer.Drinks are on me says DON.LOL
Dade City, Fl
Posted 10:45 AM, 11/10/2009
The needy in Akron. Currently that is about 80% of Akron. With the new sewer rates the needy will then be 95%.
Dade City, Fl
Posted 10:48 AM, 11/10/2009
Don spent all the money going to Europe and buying the best booze on the shelf. Bend over Akron, the politicians love you long time.
akron, OH
Posted 10:53 AM, 11/10/2009
@Tom,
You are absolutely correct, I was suggesting a way to "unload" on the Mayor and his rubber stampers. Its going to hit the fan when the bills go out. Wouldn't want to be on council!
Posted 10:56 AM, 11/10/2009
''This is human waste. . . . It's everyone who uses the toilet.'' I agree with DP here and ALL who use the toilet should pay - regardless of age or income. Giving 'breaks' to all the needy in Akron will not help solve this problem.
akron, OH
Posted 11:15 AM, 11/10/2009
Raise sales tax to 8.25% to cover all of akrons expenses. Tax everything even food, food stamps don't cover tax so the people who recieve them will have to pay as well. As long as everyone is treated equal I'm fine paying more.
akron, OH
Posted 11:18 AM, 11/10/2009
Lets be like florida & tennessee and other states who pay higher sales tax.
Akron, Oh
Posted 11:29 AM, 11/10/2009
The mayor this, the mayor that...... THIS HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH THE MAYOR!!! Akron's sewer system was constructed in the early 20th century, and now this city's administration is tasked with fixing the problems that bad science provided -- before the Titanic sank!!! Here is the math:
CITY U.S. EPA = LAWSUIT
LAWSUIT = UN-WINNABLE FOR CITY
CITY LOSING LAWSUIT = $XXX,XXX,XXX.00
The city has the opportunity to settle this thing and move on thus saving the taxpayers millions of more dollars in litigation expenses and potential penalties.
As far as the dam - if you had to give $900,000 away... would you rather give it to something that you know is going to have a local impact, or give it directly to the EPA so they can improve salmon migratory patters thousands of miles away???
I seriously doubt that the Mayor will entertain billing the wealthy for the poor's sewer usage..... I think what the Mayor was saying is he will look into what methods are available to help those in hardship from having their utilities shut off.
Akron, OH
Posted 11:54 AM, 11/10/2009
How about a program to encourage the installation of dual-flush toilets?
I did a 5-minute search for some technologies that could be employed. This is not my area, and I imagine there are some people at an area university or two who might have something useful to offer on this subject. Has the City exhausted all such possibilities?
http://patft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?patentnumber=7585414
http://patft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?patentnumber=7566400
http://patft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?patentnumber=7118306
http://patft1.uspto.gov/netacgi/nph-Parser?patentnumber=7186058
Akron, OH
Posted 12:11 PM, 11/10/2009
==========
WLFN posted:
Lets be like florida & tennessee and other states who pay higher sales tax.
==========
Let's do it TODAY (as long as Ohio eliminates all personal income tax, just like Florida and Tennessee)!
Akron, OH
Posted 12:13 PM, 11/10/2009
The city of akron should follow First Energy's lead and send every resident a 1.6 gallon flush toilet and then pass the $150 cost along on the water/sewer utility bill.
This would go a long way in reducing the wastewater flow, although it won't do much to reduce the rain/snowfall that gets into the combined sewers!
But, it's a start!
kent, oh
Posted 12:39 PM, 11/10/2009
Most of the needy are TENANTS! The city will not allow a tenant to put the water/sewer bill in their name.
Akron, OH
Posted 01:01 PM, 11/10/2009
I was really happy to read this article when I GOT OUT OF BED this morning and went to WORK.
akron, OH
Posted 01:11 PM, 11/10/2009
To flush or not to flush...may be the future question?
Mogadore, OH
Posted 01:18 PM, 11/10/2009
I wonder where the $500K fine goes. The City should have negotiated that it be set aside to subsidize the start-up project costs instead of just being paid to the federal EPA.
Stow, Oh
Posted 01:39 PM, 11/10/2009
At this point aren't we all needy????????
Posted 02:09 PM, 11/10/2009
the mayor has alot to do with this. He knew what was going on and should have been saving for this.
I love how you fools who voted for a fool love to hide facts.
How about just get the heck out of the area. RUN!
Copley, OH
Posted 03:16 PM, 11/10/2009
Actually it has nothing to do with er-flushing anything down to drain, you pay for that, as Akron bills you for the same consumption of sewer as you use on your water meter (what goes in has to go out!) It's the stormwater that runs into your sewers that overflows the treatment plant and causes polluted water to be pumped into the Cuyahoga River, as the Treatment plant can't handle the volume during a heavy rain/snow melt. As it isn't something you the average "flusher" puts into the system, they can't nail anyone for the cost of treating it. The city has a sewer system that allows BOTH "flushed" waste and storm water/snow melt to run through the sewer system. That my pretties is what so offensive to the EPA. Hench you are literaly getting charged for the water/snow that falls to the earth.
Akron, OH
Posted 03:43 PM, 11/10/2009
RetiredCityWorker: I get your point, but wonder if there are measures short of a trebling of sewer rates that could address the situation to the EPA's liking, spaced out over the 2 decades the fix would take? The rain garden idea seems to also impound stormwater at many points throughout the city for controlled release (i.e. not to overflow the treatment plant). I wonder would a "flushing advisory", sort of like a snow parking ban, help to ease the volume of water the treatment plant would have to process after a storm event?
This has been a good forum. Lots of stuff to think about on this one.
Akron, Ohio
Posted 03:52 PM, 11/10/2009
I think thats the reason the mayor was trying to sell the sewer dept. and lock rate for us. So this would all be the private buyers problem.
Orrville, Oh
Posted 03:57 PM, 11/10/2009
Reality demands: Fathers disqualified for affirmative action with white skin, Union workers, consumers, taxpayers, and Americas grandchildren’s children; pay low-income; volunteers without wages; and nonunion parasites; willing to work for fewer wages or independent business profit; than they can afford life; sewer bill; with money; derived from wages or independent business profit!
akron, oh
Posted 04:11 PM, 11/10/2009
Out of curiosity, what would happen if Akron refused to comply? What if the City told the EPA to stick their ruling and their fine where the sun doesn't shine?
How does the EPA enforce it's rulings? Are there EPA police? Would they send Federal Marshal's to City hall and force the City to write a check?
What if the Mayor told the EPA, "you've made your ruling, now enforce it." We're talking $500 million plus! I'm not sure the city receives that much in federal aid in the same time frame.
One more rant, what do we pay our congressmen to do if not advocate for us? If this was in WV, you can bet your solid waste that Sen. Byrd would withhold funding to the EPA if they tried to strong arm his constituents. Why hasn't the Mayor contacted his good buddies in congress and get the EPA to at least drop the fines.
Tallmadge, oh
Posted 05:57 PM, 11/10/2009
Great. Even with the extension of the home-buyer credit, I will never sell my rental house in Akron for anything near what I have put into it. Why would anyone who can afford to buy, who would not only have to pay double or triple the old rates PLUS that of the "needy" neighbor, purchase a home in Akron?
Plus, my water bill will be even bigger if my tenants don't pay.
What a racket.
akron, oh
Posted 06:07 PM, 11/10/2009
We all need to make signs, "NEED MONEY FOR WATER BILL," and stand on exit ramps.
Mogadore, OH
Posted 06:27 PM, 11/10/2009
Sheila,
Good idea, just be sure not to be standing above a sewer opening on an over-flow day!
Canal Fulton, Oh
Posted 07:42 PM, 11/10/2009
All this from people who didnt want to pay an extra 80 cents a month for a light bulb? LOLOLOL
AKRON, OH
Posted 08:38 PM, 11/10/2009
Plusquellic said ''This is human waste.This problem has been going on since 1986. This Mayor has been in office for 32years.IT IS HIS FAULT.And simple people want to blame the EPA for not wanting human waste in our drinking water,in the fish we eat.
clinton, oh
Posted 09:00 PM, 11/10/2009
Akron does have a beautiful tax payer paid expensively renovated downtown.
Too bad no one wants to go down there Donny Boy
Akron, Oh
Posted 09:11 PM, 11/10/2009
The mayor has been mayor 22 years not 32.......... and we're not blaming the EPA for wanting clean water but that does not mean you blame the Mayor by default. Let's blame our great-great-grandfathers for not thinking about the future when they designed a primitive sewer system in the early 20th century.
akron, oh
Posted 09:13 PM, 11/10/2009
how needy will you have to be? I guess instead of the weekly Saturday bath it will be every other week LOL kids going to school with dirty uniforms--can't cook mac & cheese for lunch no water.you say you wanted ice tea too bad--you drink milk. no coffee.
mayberry, oh
Posted 06:12 AM, 11/11/2009
the don knew this was coming for years,rather than acting on the problem he simply spent the cities money globe trotting under the guise of looking for jobs to bring back to akron...yeah so far a few telemarketing jobs.......are phone soliciting really considered real jobs?
now he is making the EPA out to be the bad guys,the Don just packed his bag and went off to see the world rather than staying home and devising a plan to solve this waste water problem
akron, oh
Posted 06:30 AM, 11/11/2009
the poor get a break so I can pay.... thanks for making me the working poor
Akron, Oh
Posted 07:11 AM, 11/11/2009
The simple fact of the matter is that MOST of us cannot afford this increase. We are barely scraping by as it is, and have been on the PIPP program for gas and electric for years - both of those payments went up for us this year and now this?? I know we are not alone in this - we simply cannot squeak out another dime. Our water bill is already outrageos in comparison to the surrounding cities - my grandmother lives in Tallmadge and pays 90.00 A QUARTER for her water - ours averages out to 65.00 a month - this new addition will knock it far over 100.00 a month - something must be done to work this out!!!
AKRON, OH
Posted 10:31 AM, 11/11/2009
Louis_Debose OK 22 YEARS AS CAPTAIN OF THIS SHIP.The buck stops at his office,and nowhere else. he ignored a problem that could have been dealt with in the mid-1990s without a sewer rate hike. At that time we were only $200 million dollars in debt and the estimated cost for solving the problem was about $200 million. Litigation over Akron's sewer discharges began in 1988 and should have ended in 1995 when Plusquellic agreed to resolve the problems and signed a Consent Decree in Federal Court. However, he failed to act, resulting in another lawsuit this year. To understand the history of this problem you should read the 2009 EPA Federal Lawsuit.
AKRON, OH
Posted 10:43 AM, 11/11/2009
Unbelievable posted: what would happen if Akron refused to comply? What if the City told the EPA to stick their ruling and their fine where the sun doesn't shine?
How does the EPA enforce it's rulings?
The EPA sent it to the US Attorney office,They are suing.what would happen,A Federal Judge makes the ruling,Not the EPA,Akron would be found in contempt of court.U S Marshal's will arrest him and high fines will be imposed.Federal Judges are appointed for life.
Akron, OH
Posted 10:49 AM, 11/11/2009
Aren't we all cash strapped at this point?
akron , oh
Posted 11:45 AM, 11/11/2009
if in fact the person that is defending the mayor is right ( this is why he was trying to sell the sewers) then you have another issue. that the mayor is even more corrupt and would have probably gotten the city sued for non disclosure if in fact that deal had gone through. you cannot enter into a contract if you know of circumstances (such as this) that would put the buyer at a wholly uneven level (worse). the mayor would have in effect been executing a fraud.
AKRON, OH
Posted 01:25 PM, 11/11/2009
Watching in Summit County Post: the mayor would have in effect been executing a fraud.
What else is new concerning this Mayor.It would not have been the first time.
Posted 01:54 PM, 11/11/2009
Am I considered needy? I am on a fixed income - I haven't had a raise in 3 years & neither has my husband due to the economy. I guess I will go get a 2nd job to pay for my sewer rate increase. We are cash strapped - can't pay anymore, am barely making it as it is!!!!!
akron, OH
Posted 03:40 PM, 11/11/2009
Maybe I should drill a well in my back yard
Akron, Oh
Posted 12:22 PM, 01/24/2010
Sounds like a problem. I only saw a few actual answers but a lot of complaining on this forum.
Regarding the Mayor causing this problem. I don't think so. Unfortunately we inherited this problem from almost a century ago. I would ask Don P and the city's leader to do a little more leading and little less dealing with the EPA.
We can't be the first city to have this problem or similar problems. Others have solved similar problems so let's look at what they did.
Thank you Mr. Kilby for your efforts.
Most low income families live in rental property. I wonder if the landlord can get a break on his sewer bill if his tenants are needy? probably not so they'll pass that cost on to the tenant.
Some recommendations.
In many cases the city sewer system is processing rain water. How can we find out if our neighborhood has this problem. What if the rain water was used to flush toilets and add to that the previously recommended low flush and half flush toilets. The city could provide some type of financial relief for customers with this system because they are basically reducing the amount of rain water coming into the system. I'm sure this could be done in such a way that the rain water surges would also be reduced.
or
using grey water (shower water)to flush toilets. These systems have some challenges but they are proven. Again you reduce the amount of water used and inevitably sent down the drain.
or
Is there any "low hanging fruit" ideas like the previously mentioned rain gardens is a perfect example. another is: my neighbor uses rain barrels to collect the rain off his garage. he uses this to water his lawn/garden.
