NEORSD: News you can use

Aeration tanks at the Easterly Wastewater Treatment Plant on Lakeshore Boulevard.

Where does it go?  It’s not a topic frequently discussed, but the answer is of utmost importance to your health. “It” is the wastewater – both sanitary sewage and stormwater – that leaves your home and the homes and businesses of more than one million customers throughout Northeast Ohio. The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) is responsible for treating all of that wastewater (approximately 93 billion gallons) each year before it is returned to the environment.

Wastewater from the Collinwood neighborhood is transported to the Easterly Wastewater Treatment Plant on Lakeshore Boulevard near East 140th Street; this facility treats more than 90 million gallons of wastewater each day before returning it to Lake Erie. The wastewater treatment process is a very technical process; it is also very expensive.

Rates: The Sewer District has historically billed customers based on the amount of water used each quarter. The current rate is $49.55 per MCF for Cleveland residents (1 MCF = thousand cubic feet or 7,480 gallons).

In the past, the Sewer District charged customers a minimum charge of 1 MCF regardless of how much water was actually used. In fact, the minimum charge was the Sewer District’s top customer complaint, so it has been eliminated and replaced with a quarterly “Base Charge” of $5.85 for 2012. With the elimination of our minimum charge, many customers--particularly those with low water usage--will see a decrease in their average bill in 2012.

Current Cost-Saving Programs

• Homestead Rate Program
  How It Works: A reduced rate is available to elderly or disabled customers. Who May Qualify: Customers 65 and older, or anyone under 65 who is totally disabled. Household income must not exceed $30,500 and applicants must own the property in which they live.
• Summer Sprinkling Program
  How It Works: Customers typically use more water in the summer (watering lawns, filling pools) so from May 1 through September 30, sewer charges are based on average winter water usage or actual summer water usage, whichever is lower. Who May Qualify: Owners who occupy a one-, two-, three- or four-family home.
• Wastewater Affordability Program
  How It Works: it is designed to assist homeowners--regardless of age--who have a limited income (currently 200% of federal poverty level). They will receive a reduced rate, approximately a 40 percent discount on their consumption charge.  Who May Qualify: Owners occupying one- two- three- or four-family homes.
• Crisis Assistance Program
  How It Works: It will assist customers encountering an unexpected crisis, such as job loss or high medical expenses. The Sewer District will prevent shut-off of water and sewer services, offer a payment plan and pay up to $300 toward your past sewer charges.Who May Qualify: Owners occupying one- two- three- or four-family homes.

Sewer District customers wanting to learn more about the Homestead Rate Program or Summer Sprinkling Program should contact the Sewer District’s Customer Service Department at 216-881-8247 or www.neorsd.org/save.

The Cleveland Housing Network is administering the Crisis Assistance Program and Wastewater Affordability Program; they can be reached at 1-888-901-1222.

If you would like the Sewer District to come out and speak to your group, club or organization, please contact Jennifer Elting, Public Information Specialist, at 216-881-6600 or eltingj@neorsd.org.