City plans session on sewer rehab

11/16/2005

Residents tonight can get their first peek at Toledo's long-term plan for phasing out filthy sewage overflows by 2016, a cornerstone of the city's historic $450 million upgrade of its antiquated sewage network.

Bob Williams, director of the Toledo Waterways Initiative, said the document will show people how the city plans to expand its system enough to cease operation of the 29 overflows that have allowed raw human waste into streams after heavy rain. The overflows have allowed untreated waste into the Maumee and Ottawa rivers, plus Swan Creek, for years.

The project, the largest of its kind in the city's history, will result in gradual sewage-rate increases.

A workshop to discuss the plan will be held from 6 to 8 p.m. at the Courtyard at the Navy, located in International Park inside Cousino's Navy Bistro at the Docks. For more information, go to www.toledowaterwaysinitiative.com.