The Regional Water Resource Agency’s 10-year combined sewer overflow long-term control plan is well ahead of its schedule. The RWRA is working toward complying with the EPA’s Clean Water Act to curb the impact of untreated or partially treated human and industrial waste, toxic materials and debris, and more.
A combined sewer system collects rainwater runoff, domestic sewage and industrial wastewater into one pipe. Under normal conditions, it transports all of the wastewater it collects to a plant for treatment, then discharges to a water body, barring extreme instances of flood or massive snow melt.
To meet the EPA’s combined sewer overflow policy, the Regional Water Resource Agency has taken on a $30.2 million plan to take the ecological weight off of the Ohio River.
The Regional Water Resource Agency’s plan was officially approved by the EPA and Kentucky in May 2016. Some of the projects included in the plans are green infrastructure initiatives, installing UV disinfection units at treatment plants, installing stormwater and wastewater separators, and lining and repairing pipes throughout the whole system.
All work is to be complete by 2026.
