New program aims to promote growth, reduce clean water flow in East Canton sanitary sewers

EAST CANTON ‒ The Stark County Metropolitan Sewer District has introduced a new program to reduce the flow of clean water into sanitary sewers in the village.

The Clean Water Disconnection Program will cover up to 75% of the cost of making sure clean water isn't entering the sewers in East Canton. The maximum a property can receive is $7,500. The funds can be used to reroute groundwater sump pumps, disconnect down spouts, replace leaky service connections, or disconnect improper drive or yard drains.

Stark County Sanitary Engineer Jim Troike said the program's origins date to the Clean Water Act of 1972.

"Back in the day, people were tying in footer drains or foundation drains, roof drains into the sanitary sewer," he said. "That was acceptable, and the sewers had built in overflows to rivers and streams, so if the flows got too high, they didn't back up in people's basements."

The Clean Water Act required these connections to be blocked off to prevent pollutants from getting into waterways. The other problem with clean water connections is that they send additional water to the sewers and increase the costs of pumping and treating water.

Troike said the city of Akron's long and expensive effort to stop sewage from getting into the Cuyahoga River is an example of the challenges that arise with treating clean water entering a sewer system.

Without this program, sewers and pumping stations would have to be replaced with larger units, leading to higher sewer rates.

Troike said the Ohio Revised Code allows county sewer districts to do work on private property and pay for some plumbing changes to disconnect from the sewer system. The program will start in East Canton, but could eventually branch out to the rest of the county.

Why is the Clean Water Disconnection Program starting in East Canton?

Carrie Terakedis, a registered environmental health specialist at the Stark County Metropolitan Sewer District, said sewer flow in East Canton is very high after heavy rainfalls. During a recent rainstorm, Troike said the flow in the village went up to 700,000 gallons per day compared to the average 250,000 gallons per day.

Additionally, the sewer system in East Canton is at full capacity. Village Mayor David Spencer said the program will give the village an opportunity for growth.

"With the addition of the Hope Senior living complex that was just recently put in, the village is pretty much at capacity," he said. "We would be very hard-pressed for Stark County Sanitary to give us additional access to sewer. So that restricts our ability to grow not only within the village, but also outside of the village."

Spencer was approached about the idea about two years ago. East Canton has been aware of the issue for a while. Spencer said he wanted to make sure that addressing the problem wouldn't burden residents with significant repair costs, especially when some live on fixed incomes.

This program will alleviate some of the costs for residents and also provide financing options for the remaining 25% not covered by the program.

When will the project get started?

The county sewer district has selected a group of 74 homes in a high-flow area in the village. Officials have already started contacting homeowners to schedule appointments to inspect for clean water connections. Not all homes that are inspected will have this issue.

If an issue is identified, the homeowner will receive a letter outlining the work that needs to be done and how to apply for funding to assist with repairs. The homeowner will then have the option to get an estimate from a plumber, have it approved by the district and receive funds for up to 75% of the cost; or to become part of a county project that pays the same amount and go out to bid.

Terakedis said customers will be able to finance the remaining 25% as part of their sewer bill.

"The majority of these repairs will be relatively minor," she said.

Eventually, the district plans to conduct inspections at every home in East Canton and then expand the program to other communities in Stark County.

For questions or to set up an inspection for your property, call Terakedis at 330-451-2307.

Reach Paige at 330-580-8577, pmbennett@gannett.com or on Twitter @paigembenn.

This article originally appeared on The Repository: Clean Water Disconnection Program coming to East Canton for sewers