The federal government is requiring that Aurora make approximately $120 million in improvements to its municipal sewer system in order to decrease the number of combined sewer system overflows (CSOs). The U.S. EPA has placed the financial burden of funding the improvements on taxpayers within the CSO communities across the nation. One hundred percent of the revenue generated from the United States EPA Mandated Long Term Control Plan Fee will be used to meet federal requirements.
While the City realizes that new fees in a tough economy are never easy to accept, the small amount being added to water bills pales in comparison to the millions in legal costs and fines that would result if Aurora did not comply with this federal mandate.
During large rainfalls when stormwater overwhelms the capacity of the pipes, combined sewer systems are designed to discharge the overflow into local waterways in order to minimize street flooding and basement back-ups. The overflow points are regulated and permitted through the United States Environmental Protection Agency in cooperation with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
Since 2005, Aurora has made nearly $50 million in improvements to the municipal sewer system. In addition, the City and Fox Metro Water Reclamation District has made another $150 million in improvements over the past three decades. These combined upgrades have greatly reduced the number of CSOs from 1100 in 1983 to 198 in 2010. Unfortunately, these decreases are not enough to meet federally-mandated guidelines.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) has mandated that all 775 communities that utilize combined sewer systems in the country develop and implement a long-term control plan (LTCP) to significantly reduce CSO's into the nation's waterways. Failure to do so will result in State or Federal enforcement actions including civil penalties and criminal sanctions that could run into the millions of dollars.
A Combined Sewer System is designed to transport both storm water and sanitary sewage within the same pipe.
During large rainfalls when stormwater overwhelms the capacity of the pipes, combined sewer systems are designed to discharge the overflow into rivers and lakes. The overflow points are regulated and permitted through the United States Environmental Protection Agency in cooperation with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency.
Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO) are common among industrial cities that developed along the East Coast and Great Lakes regions in the mid 1800s. Nationwide, there are approximately 775 CSO communities. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) there are 108 combined sewer systems within Illinois. In addition to Aurora, the following Illinois cities have combined sewers: - Chicago - Elgin - Evanston - Hinsdale - Joliet - Morris - Ottawa - Peoria - Rock Island
Yes. The City of Aurora has 16 permitted CSOs. Fifteen discharge into the Fox River; 1 discharges into Indian Creek.
During large rainfalls, combined sewer systems may become overwhelmed causing sewage to back up flooding streets and basements, as well as needing to be discharged into rivers and lakes.
The City has made nearly $50 million in improvements since 2005. In conjunction with Fox Metro Water Reclamation District, the two agencies have made more than $200 million in improvements to the area’s combined sewer system in the last 3 decades, which has greatly reduced the number of CSO discharges. - In 1983, the City experienced 1,100 CSO discharges. - In 2010, the City experienced 198 CSO discharges.
Yes. Combined Sewer Overflows are regulated and permitted through the United States Environmental Protection Agency in cooperation with the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. - Since its creation via the 1972 Clean Water Act, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) has progressively increased the regulation of pollutants discharged into the nation’s water ways. - In 1994, the U.S. EPA published the CSO Control Policy. - In 1997, an amendment to the U.S. EPA CSO Control Policy was adopted that required all combined sewer communities within the nation to develop and implement a Long Term Control Plan (LTCP).
The U.S. EPA has mandated that every Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO) community develop and implement a Long Term Control Plan in order to significantly reduce discharge into the nation’s water ways.
Yes, the City of Aurora and Fox Metro were each required to submit Long Term Control Plans by April 1, 2010. - On February 16, 2010, the City conducted a public meeting to discuss the recommendations of the LTCP. - On March 26, 2010, the City submitted its LTCP; it is currently under review by both the US EPA and Illinois EPA.
In January 2008 the City retained Strand Associates, a nationally recognized expert in combined sewer systems to assist Aurora in preparing its LTCP. Development of the LTCP included the following activities: - Creation of a 16 member citizen’s advisory committee to provide public input. - Measurement of sewage flows within the sewer system and development of a computer model of the sewer system. - Evaluation of dozens of alternatives to discharging into the river. - Financial capability assessment.
The plan recommends a number of improvements to reduce Combined Sewer Overflows including: - Expanding the capacity of the combined sewer system. - Modifying existing overflow structures. - New permanent flow meters at certain Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs) - Separating sewers through the installation of new storm sewers. - Implementation of green infrastructure to remove stormwater from the system. - Construction of a new CSO treatment facility on the City’s southwest side. - Construction of a pump station on the City’s southeast side.
Implementation of the city’s plan will result in fewer basement backups and treatment or elimination of 85% of the combined sewage overflows caused by rainfall on an annual average basis.
The city has requested the longest implementation schedule typically allowed by the 20 years.
The financial burden of funding the plan is on taxpayers within the affected communities. - Total cost of improvements to City of Aurora and Fox Metro are estimated at $325 million. - The City's improvements are estimated to cost $120 million. According to government guidelines, communities should spend approximately 2% of the combined Median Household Income on sewer services.
A $2.05 fee will be added to each bi-monthly water bill ($1.025 per month).
No. Failure to implement the plan will result in State or Federal enforcement actions, civil penalties, and or criminal sanctions. Aurora would face permit violations which carry fines of $25,000 to $37,500 per day and would be subject to a costly legal battle. - Evansville, IN - Refusal to cooperate with the U.S. Environmental Protection agency (EPA) resulted in a lawsuit by the Department of Justice leading to $500 million in costs including $490,000 in penalties and an additional $4 million in environmental projects. - Akron, OH - Refusal to cooperate with the U.S. EPA resulted in a lawsuit. The settlement requires the development and implementation the plan, plus $500,000 in penalties. - Scranton, PA - Was sued for failure to submit the plan. The lawsuit is ongoing.
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