Delta mayor asks EPA for more data on wastewater

6/8/2005

DELTA, Ohio - Delta Mayor Don Gerdes, who opposes Fulton County's plan to discharge up to 300,000 gallons of wastewater a day into the Maumee River, was the only one to address Ohio Environmental Protection Agency officials during a public hearing last night on the plan.

Mayor Gerdes said the county has not provided enough information on how its plan would affect many aspects of the river.

The county's proposed wastewater treatment plant for the industrial area west of Delta would cost the village $40,000 in lost revenue a year - the amount it receives from customers that include North Star BlueScope Steel LLC, village Administrator Gary Baker has said.

The county's plan calls for a wastewater treatment plant to be built at an estimated cost of $2.7 million in York Township, although a specific site has not been selected. A pump station and discharge line to the Maumee River are in place.

The discharged water would lower the river's water quality, according to the EPA, but it would remain at levels the agency has deemed acceptable.

EPA will accept written comments on the wastewater plan through Tuesday to its Division of Surface Water. Its next step would be to issue a draft permit, which appears likely. Another public comment period, but not necessarily a public hearing, would be held on the draft permit, an EPA spokesman said.

About 30 people, including many Delta village and Fulton County officials, attended last night's hearing.