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Highlights Pagel City of South Bend Mayor's Letter-Combined Sewer ' Overflow Combined Sewer w-Public Newsletter Notification on Program Paee2 Halina Poetry Prize Honors Sister City f . Roundabouts-Improve Traffic Flow Cold Weather Safety Information February 2005 Letter from the Mayor During the 1990s the City spent should a rate increase be structured? Should DearNeighbors: over$30 million improving the collection the increase be made in one change or system and eliminating 9 combined sewer phased in over a number of years?Are there I am pleased to report that we are overflow chambers. Another$50 million was alternate ways of financing these projects? continuing our emphasis on important en- spent upgrading the Wastewater Treatment Ultimately,these questions and others will vironmental stewardship programs by Plant. Storm related discharges to the river generate thoughtful recommendations for partnering with Elkhart and Mishawaka to were reduced by 14%. Computer models and the City and the public to consider as we study the effect of combined (storm and sample analysis show that fish and other continue to bring this information to the sanitary flow in the same pipe)sewage over- aquatic life are prospering in our river as a community. I appreciate the efforts of the flows (CSOs) on the water quality of the resultof our industrial pretreatment Program. community volunteers on the Advisory Saint Joseph river. This proactive"water- The only pollutant of concern from CSO dis- Committee as well as our staff. This is good shed" approach will help us maintain and charges is bacteria, which during storm stewardship and good government. improve the quality of our river,one of our events is raised to high levels in the river. most important natural resources. In 2003, we established an Advi- A Storm Water Management Mas- sory Committee to provide citizen input and ter Plan was completed after surveying our recommendations on a plan to further reduce customers m2003. This plan addresses the the impacts of CSOs. This Committee,made Stephen J.Luecke long standing problem of basement back- up of 18 citizens,represents large and small Mayor ups during heavy rain events. The 30 year businesses, environmental groups, and plan has been reduced to 10 years with con- neighborhoods. Throughout the process, struction beginning this year. Separating members have show a keen understanding Combined Sewer Overflow the storm water from the sanitary flow will of the issues and offered valuable advice relieve the backup issues and give us the which led to a phased approach in our Long Public Notification Program added benefit of reducing the volume of Term Control Plan for CSOs. The Plan was sewage that overflows into the St. Joseph submitted to the State for approval in De- The City of South Bend has devel- River during these storm events. This is a cember. oped a public notification program regard- win for the residents who have experienced Phase I of the plan calls for a sewer mg the potential health impacts of combined basement backups and for the positive en- separation program that will account for a sewer overflows(CSOs). The goals of the vironmental impact on our river. 40%reduction of the wet weather overflows Public notification program are to notify in- Combined sewers are not just a into the river. While alternatives for Phase terested residents when wet weather sewer local problem. Over 100 communities in In- II were analyzed for cost and effectiveness, overflows are likely to occur, to educate diana are faced with this dilemma and they projects were not committed to until the ef- them about health hazards associated with represent about 10% of the national CSO fects of Phase I can be monitored and other wet weather overflows in our streams,and problem. This is an historic issue that dates information concerning the water quality to enable them to protect themselves and back 100+years to the earliest development standards can be determined. their families from those hazards. of indoor plumbing and public sewer sys- Phase I has been projected to cost The public is invited to sign up for tems. $117 million. Phase 11 will cost more. Cur- an email notification of potential CSO dis- Over the last fifteen years, South rently, our average residential sewer bill is charges at www.ci.south-bend.in.us/ Bend has been proactive in researching and $17.57 per month for 5,600 gallons of water Pub licWorks/Wastewater/wa/ applying many strategies for improving the used. This average charge is well below csonotify2.htm1 orby calling 574-277-8515 handling of our storm water. We developed sewer charges for most communities in Indi- ext 28 to get a recorded message on current our"CSO Operational Plan"in 1989 focus- ana. However,this rate does not allow for overflow conditions. ing on the EPA's"nine minimum controls". the capital improvements necessary to meet After a rainstorm or snowmelt,you In 1996,we received a national second place federal guidelines for CSO and stormwater should avoid contact with streams in the award from US EPA for this effort. Ourpro- management. combined sewer area for at least 72 hours. gram was also used as a"case study" in a The Advisory Committee will now Signs are posted along our waterways to Federal Guidance Document and applauded tam its focus on ways to finance this plan, identify wet weather overflow outfalls and in an Indiana Department of Environmental including future sewer rate increases. They areas where contact with water could be Management(IDEM)newsletter. will review our financing options. How hazardous. Visit the City of South Bend online at www.ci.south-bend.in.us