The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District operates three wastewater treatment plants and related water pollution control facilities on Lake Erie and the Cuyahoga River. Through its efforts, the District assures clean water for Greater Cleveland. They serve more than one million people in 62 communities, treating approximately 94 billion gallons of water annually.

That's a lot of customers and a lot of water! But the District also serves businesses. The Greater Cleveland area is home to many industries that deserve special attention because of (1) amount of water consumption and wastewater discharged into the sewer system, and/or (2) specific substances created as byproducts of their manufacturing or industrial processes.

Here are a few ways the District can assist its many industrial customers:

Stormwater Management Program

In January, the Sewer District established the Stormwater Management Program (SMP) to address flooding, erosion, and water quality problems throughout its service area. The District has identified more than $200 million in critical construction and maintenance projects to fix these problems and protect the region's infrastructure. To pay for these projects, the District will assess a fee based on the amount of impervious surfaces—such as rooftops, driveways, and parking lots—on a property, since these hard surfaces contribute to stormwater runoff. The rate is $4.75 per month per 3,000 square feet of impervious area, minus any credits.

Businesses can receive credits up to 75% for implementing stormwater best management practices (BMPs) that result in reduced stormwater runoff or improved water quality on their properties. Sewer District representatives are actively speaking with businesses, organizations, clubs, and associations about the SMP and credit opportunities. Businesses can learn more by visiting neorsd.org/stormwater.

Industrial Wastewater

Industrial wastewater is sewage that results from any industrial, commercial, or manufacturing process or from sources other than domestic or residential ones. The Sewer District's wastewater treatment plants are designed to treat organic wastes and remove solids, but some industrial wastes can interfere with the biological processes used in our plants. Worse, some pollutants can pass through our plants untreated and enter directly into the environment.

In the 1970s, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency established controls that require industrial waste to be destroyed or removed at the source. "If a company needs help understanding U.S. EPA regulations, we are more than happy to assist," said Scott Broski, Manager of the Water Quality and Industrial Surveillance department. "Most industrial users are very conscientious about complying with discharge requirements." The Sewer District co-sponsors a Regulatory Compliance Seminar for environmental, health and safety professionals. The half-day seminar provides important information regarding maintaining compliance with environmental, health and safety regulations.

Small Business Enterprise Program

The Sewer District's SBE program provides procurement opportunities for local small businesses, contributing to the economic health and vitality of the region. Any small business in Cuyahoga, Summit, Lake, or Lorain County is invited to attend one of their certification workshops. For additional information, visit neorsd.org/sbe.

If you want to explore these opportunities further, contact Kareemah Williams at 216.588.1440 ext. 117.