In the early 1980's the city took advantage of U.S.E.P.A.'s 75% grant to build our main Waste Water Treatment Plant, a 950,000 GPD average design. We also rehabilitated sewer lines in an effort to limit infiltration and inflows. The latter has been largely a failed effort. Although we have repeatedly tested for and eliminated inflow, we still have a tremendous infiltration problem whereby our flow increases five fold during wet weather. Our old clay lines dating to the 1920's act as a leech field collecting subsurface drainage. This causes flooding of pump stations, the plant, and homes. In 2002 we will bid the replacement of 4 pump stations (about 1/3 of the total) and 5,200 feet of lines (almost 3% of our total) at an estimated cost of $600,000.
In performing this upgrade in the 1980's we achieved one of the highest wastewater rates in Ohio. About 24% of our current department budget goes to debt service. According to the most recent OEPA statewide rate survey (issued February, 2001 for 1999 calendar year) St. Clairsville's rate is in the 33rd percentile. But just after that study was done the city boosted its rate another 27% (in August 2000) and if that number is factored into the OEPA survey our rate is in the 12th percentile out of 444 systems reporting. (As a side note, customers take a double hit in that we are in the top 10 percentile in water rates statewide.)
As these numbers indicate St. Clairsville has taken steps to help itself by paying much of our own way. We believe that despite our many needs we have a comparatively strong system, but our residents have a high rate burden, and to fulfill our needs the rates will go even higher unless there is some infusion of outside capital. Ohio's Public Works grants have helped, but the
effectiveness of that was diluted when the state allowed these funds to be used for road resurfacing and tailored the grant point system to rank these politically popular projects higher than wastewater projects. Our wastewater rates constitute about 2% of household income. We do not believe we can push them much higher. Our current needs in brief include: Flow equalization to prevent system surcharging (flooding) during storms. ~. Pump station and line replacement. Hydrogen Sulfide (H2S) control. (This gas occurs naturally and destroys concrete and structures in the collection system.)
4. Relocation or expansion ofthe city's second plant, a 90,000 GPD design structure that is at design capacity. Relocation would allow us to move the plant from a congested area, and extend service to an underserved area. In St. Clairsville's experience expansion of wastewater treatment definitely yields new development. However, Ohio's pending annexation law as drafted makes such expansion far less attractive to the city. Neither the surrounding County or the Township has filled this need historically.
These above needs total about $10 million for this basic utility.
We do not criticize the need for clean water, we support that. We do feel that EPA's focus should be on communities meeting their permit limits, and should not be a micro management type control of plant operations. Instead EPA should focus on the discharge quality, and not on regulating the specific increments of the process used to reach that quality.
EPA has been very helpful in assisting the city technically in solving a difficult treatment problem which has stymied various city engineering consultants. The work of Ohio EPA in conjunction with our operator solved a treatment problem and resulted in a nationally published technical paper to help others.
So, what help do we need? Our answer is nothing you have not heard too often before...more money. We have dedicated our own resources to improving our systems, and we have taken the unpopular steps of pushing our rates to the limit. Our customers have shouldered the burden of support. But to restore these systems, particularly our system will take resources beyond that which we currently have or will have.
I am aware that there is not an instant solution for our situation. However, I am very appreciative of your concerns to conduct this hearing for some positive feed back and I am very pleased to have an opportunity to testify before your Committee and provide additional insight to the plight of Small Cities and Villages. Thank You
Robert Vincenzo, Mayor City of St. Clairsville