The City of Elyria and its consultant AECOM is performing a Sewer System Evaluation Study (SSES) of the Eastern Heights area to evaluate sources of infiltration and inflow (I/I) of storm water in the sewer area that contribute wet weather flow to the sanitary sewer system and may be contributing to basement flooding.
The Eastern Heights SSES Project consists of a thorough inspection of sewers, manholes, and catch basins in the study area. The field investigation team will also perform rainfall simulation/residential dye testing at 150 randomly selected residences on the following streets to get a representative sample of the area.
The rainfall simulation/residential dye test is performed utilizing a system to simulate rainfall by distributing water on the ground at downspouts in the front and in the rear on each side of the building. Low lying areas in the front lawn or cracks in the driveway/sidewalk may also to be tested. The sanitary sewer and lateral will be monitored for indications of the simulated storm water, and quantified if observed. This information will be used to help determine what measures may be utilized throughout the Eastern Heights area to reduce I/I of storm water into the sanitary sewers.
The Eastern Heights SSES project is part of the City of Elyria’s Wet Weather Integrated Plan and is one of the many unfunded projects mandated by the U.S. EPA. Construction of the East Side Relief Sewer Project that has currently progressed on the north side of Elyria from the Waste Water Pollution Control Plant to Longfellow and Poplar Street will eventually be extended down through Park Avenue and Columbia Avenue. This testing will provide information used for this future design.
Questions regarding this project can be directed to the Engineering Department at 440-326-1444 or kmckillips@cityofelyria.org.