LORCO Dedicates Sanitary Sewer Project
They said it couldn’t be done!
By Mark Christ
January 28, 2012
At the early LORCO (Lorain County Rural Wastewater District) meetings in 1997, the residents told the newly formed Board that it would never complete the project. “That challenge really encouraged us to overcome all the obstacles that confronted us,” recalled LORCO President Jim McConnell.
The project, which had been scheduled for completion in November 2010, had been delayed by public meetings and unsuccessful lawsuits (two with Elyria and one with Eaton Township), easement and OEPA wetland issues, negotiations with contractors, who had not fulfilled their obligations, and record rainfalls that slowed down construction and restoration efforts.
Past Executive Director Fred Alspach and the board members, past and present. persevered, and on January 28th, 2012, they dedicated the Lorain County Rural Wastewater District’s Phase I Project, at the East Carlisle Building, Carlisle Township. The project includes approximately 37 miles of sanitary collection sewers and 13 pump stations in sections of Eaton and Carlisle Townships, and the 13 miles of sanitary sewer force main and auxiliary pumping stations that convey the wastewater to Avon Lake’s Water Pollution Control Center for treatment.
President McConnell said, “The board’s vision would not have become a reality, without the expertise of a number of key individuals.” Among them were Avon Lake Municipal Utilities Special Projects Advisor John Kniepper, who served as their “mentor on all matters relating to sanitary sewers.” Kniepper and the Avon Lake Board of Municipal Utilities worked closely with Bob Smallwood of GRW Engineering and the LORCO Board, to create a blueprint and obtain the financing that would make Phase I a reality.
He also thanked Tim Mahoney, General Manager of RLCWA (Rural Lorain County Water Authority) and Marcus Bryant, General Manager of LMRE (Lorain Medina Rural Electric), for helping LORCO Executive Director Rob Berner and ALMU Administrative Assistant Becky Haines to develop a successful business model for the rural utility. Haines reported that 600 homes have been connected to date. Berner estimated the total number of homes to be served at about 1,000.
McConnell cited four principals that he believes make rural utilities like LORCO successful: It’s a non-profit entity (no hidden costs); charges its customers by the tap instead of frontage; provides townships and villages with a plan for determining the best use of the land for agricultural, residential, and commercial development; and it protects the environment.
The project, which is being financed by a 30-year low interest loan from the OWDA (Ohio Water Development Authority) and $5 million in ARRA (American Recovery and Reinvestment Act) funds, cost $27.7 million. The OWDA loan also allows property owners more flexible terms for financing their sewer tap and user fees.
Over 200 construction jobs were created by the project, and the residents of Eaton and Carlisle Townships now have a centralized sanitary sewer system that will meet all OEPA safe wastewater requirements, and will encourage economic growth in rural Lorain County. Words: 482 (Caption) A moment of triumph for Past Executive Director, Fred Alspach, President Jim McConnell, and Special Projects Advisor John Kniepper at the dedication of Lorain County Rural Wastewater District’s Phase I Project.