All information is from the Lakewood, Ohio website.
Recently, the city of Lakewood announced that it had entered into a consent decree with the US EPA. It formalizes elements of the city’s Integrated Wet Weather Improvement Plan, which was adopted in 2019. The consent decree is the result of a years-long effort from the city to address the changes presented by its “over-under” design, that leads to the overflow of the sewer system into Lake Erie and the Rocky River during heavy rainfalls. The city has invested $86 million into this, not including the additional $100,000 for a modest civil penalty.
The Mayor of Lakewood is very invested in this plan. Mayor Meghan George said, “Over three years ago, Lakewood became the first community in Ohio to adopt an integrated wet weather improvement plan, which addresses long-standing issues with our antiquated sewer system…elements of the IWWIP form the basis for the terms of the consent decree between the City and the US EPA. This is another step that will not only improve the local environment but also protects the ratepayers of Lakewood from exposure to daily fines from the federal government. This is a win-win for everyone involved.”
