Underground Utilities

The Water Distribution staff works out of the City's Service Center on Vandemark Road. The Water Distribution personnel are responsible for the operation and maintenance of over 106 miles of water main and over 9,000 service connections. The City's water mains range in size from 24" in diameter to 6" in diameter and are located not only in the Corporation Limits but outside as well.

It is the primary responsibility of the Water Distribution staff to repair leaks and breaks on the distribution system. On the average, there are approximately 33 water breaks annually on our distribution system. This staff periodically undertakes large-scale construction projects.

The Water Distribution staff responds to customer requests and customer complaints. This staff on the average installs over 50 new water services per year and renews approximately 12 services per year. In addition to maintaining transmission mains, they also schedule the replacement of fire hydrants and valves every year to ensure proper fire protection needs are met.

Twice per year, routine water main flushing activities are performed. Hydrant and main flushing is important so any sediment buildup is removed in the distribution system. During the installation of new water mains by developers and contractors, the Distribution staff is responsible for ensuring that the lines are disinfected and tested for no contamination. They are responsible for ensuring that all water related activities comply with Ohio EPA Division of Drinking Water Standards.

When new construction begins, all City utilities must be located. This staff performs the locates of all water mains and service connections as a service to the contractors. They also help review new development plans.

The Sanitary Sewer Maintenance staff works out of the City's Service Center on Vandemark Road. This staff is responsible for the operation and maintenance on over 114 miles of sanitary sewers and over 9,000 service laterals. This staff also maintains seven sewage lift stations: Plum Ridge, Hoewisher Rd, St. Rt. 47 East, St. Rt 47 West at Kuther Rd, Mason Road, and the Port Jefferson Pump Station. As part of the agreement with Honda, this staff also maintains over five miles of force main originating from Honda of America's facility on Miranda Road.

On the average, the Sewer Maintenance staff cleans approximately 80,000 feet of sewer each year and responds to 240 service complaints per year. For added protection for the customer, the City owns and operates sewer-televising equipment to help identify problems in the collection system, to located service laterals and televise new sanitary sewers constructed by developers.

As an ongoing service, the City has installed odor control equipment at the Mason Rd Lift Station and the St. Rt. 47 Lift Station. This staff regularly maintains the    odor control equipment and plans for the installation of new equipment at the other lift stations.

 

The Ohio EPA requires the City to implement Inflow & Infiltration Reduction Projects. The Sewer Maintenance staff during the summer months performs I/I  reduction work which includes: replacement of manholes with sealed frames & lids, smoke testing of the sewers to identify points of water intrusion, and televising of the City mains to identify broken, collapsed or separated sewer mains.

This staff is responsible in ensuring that all sewer related activities comply with Ohio EPA'S rules as it relates to the Clean Water Act. Sewer Maintenance activities  are some of the most dangerous activities in the City. This is due to the depths of the sewers to be maintained and the deadly gases emitted. This staff is highly safety sensitive and must undergo annual training on Confined Space Entry and SCBA uses.

The Sewer Maintenance staff also assists in the review of Development Plans and helps establish criteria for the safe and efficient installation of sanitary sewers.

The Stormwater Maintenance staff works out of the City's Service Center on Vandemark Road. This staff is responsible for over 62 miles of storm sewers, 9 retention basins, and 5,000 catch basins. In addition, there are two storm water lift stations maintained by this staff.

On a routine basis, the Stormwater crews rebuild approximately 65 catch basins per year, and clean over 3,000 catch basins per year. This staff also responds to 60 service complaints per year and handles all flood complaints in the City.

Although this staff is not regulated by any State or Federal Agency, it also is one of the dangerous activities in the City. This is due to the depths of the sewers to be maintained and the gases emitted. This staff is highly safety sensitive and must undergo annual training on Confined Space Entry and SCBA uses.

The Stormwater Maintenance staff also assists in the review of Development Plans