Show All Answers

1. Why are Combined Sewer Overflows a concern?

Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO) contain not only storm water but also untreated human and industrial waste, toxic materials, and debris. This is a major water pollution concern. CSOs are among the sources responsible for beach closings, shell-fishing restrictions, aesthetic impairments and other water body impairments. Additionally, contact with discharges from CSOs can have adverse effects on human health.

2. What is Bowling Green doing to reduce the number of Combined Sewer Overflow events?

The City of Bowling Green has spent millions of dollars to reduce clean water Inflow and Infiltration into the combined and sanitary sewer system, as well as increasing the treatment capacity at the WPC. As a result, the duration of CSOs and the concentration of pollutants has been reduced.

The City is in compliance with the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce our CSO events to 4 or less per year. A Long Term Control Plan (LTCP) was created that addressed the necessary steps to reduce the number of CSO events to the Ohio EPA NPDES permit limits. The current LTCP is on hold for further review until modifications are made to the WPC, and the E Poe Road and Mercer Road Pump Station.

Comprehensive Waste Water Strategy

In addition, the City has developed a Comprehensive Waste Water Strategy (PDF) to help reduce CSOs.

The following list are just a few examples to achieve these goals:

• Increase the treatment capacity of the WPC to 30 Million Gallons per Day (MGD).
• Alter the treatment process at the WPC to increase treatment capacity to 30 MGD as soon as possible during wet weather conditions.
• Use the 5 million gallon underground storage tank at Poe/Mercer intersection to store additional combined sewer flows in excess of the 30 MGD pumping capacity. Pump any stored volume to the WPC for treatment when plant capacity is available.
• Installing flow restrictors on storm catch basins in the combined sewer area to slow down the rate of the storm water entering the combined sewer system.
• Reducing impervious surfaces in the combined sewer area.
• Flow monitor and televise separated sanitary sewer system to identify and remove clean water inflow / infiltration.
• Replacing or relining Combined and Sanitary sewers that have large sources of infiltration.
• Educating the public about CSOs, wet basements, and removing clean water connections from the combined or sanitary sewer.
• Assist homeowners with the removal of illegal clean water connections to the sanitary sewer.

3. What can citizens do to help minimize Combined Sewer Overflows?

There are multiple ways in which citizens can help reduce the impacts of CSOs. Please contact the Utilities Department or the Water and Sewer Division for more information. View the Clean Water Removal page for more information.

Wet Basement Brochure

The City also distributed a Wet Basement brochure in the utility bills in September 2009. This brochure explained how removing clean water from the sewer can help reduce wet basements and Combined Sewer Overflows. 

• Wet Basement Brochure Page 1 (PDF)
• Wet Basement Brochure Page 2 (PDF)