I live in Sharon Township near the Graceland Shopping Center. When the Franklin County Health Department demanded that we put in a new septic system, we invested over $9,000 dollars in our new aerator system septic system, deemed state-of-the-art by the dealer and installer. We had no indication from them or the Franklin County Health Department that this was anything less than an ideal solution. Imagine our surprise when the Franklin County Board of Health told us our new system was a “temporary fix” and “prone to failure”.

We have since learned that we live in one of 13 “pockets of pollution”, in which Franklin County is under orders from the Ohio EPA to install sewers that will be maintained by Columbus Division of Sewers and Drains (DOSD). To clean up the area, 375 homeowners in these “pockets” will be forced onto Columbus sewer lines. We will pay a $3500 hook-up fee. In addition, we must pay the contractor costs for the hook up, installation of a sewer backflow prevention valve, the approved dismantling of our old septic systems, and a monthly sewer fee. While this is a significant cost for every homeowner, most of us understand that the Olentangy River, the neighborhood, and our property values would benefit. We don’t mind paying our fair share.

But the volume of sewage from the home septic systems investigated by the Franklin County Board of Health for “problems” pales in comparison to the enormous amount of sewage delivered directly to the storm sewer by the “Designed Sewer Outflow” at 320 Kanawha (and, thus, out to the Olentangy River). A crack in the top portion of the adjacent unlined 24″pipe leaks twice daily at peak demands. These two problems make this the worst sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) on the Olentangy from the Columbus sewer system.

Forcing a few homeowners to pay dearly is inequitable when far more serious problems are ignored. Franklin County engineer Tom Shockley says there is an alternative to letting the SSO flow: construct catch basins beneath both problem areas and route the overflow to the Broadmeadows/Olentangy collector. That works IF the collector can handle the additional flow, which could be substantial. This solution is contingent upon Columbus DOSD studies, permission, and funding. Shockley said Columbus is working to calculate the capacity of the Broadmeadows/Olentangy collector.

If limits on the capacity of the Olentangy pipe are a problem, Columbus should work on studying capacity and should accelerate decision-making. ALL sewer work in the neighborhood ought to be done at the same time to avoid tearing up Township streets TWICE for the same sewer problems.

The City’s response was that they have over 200 sewer projects, and our project is not on the list. Columbus has a huge backlog of problems with sewage and SSOs. But shouldn’t Columbus be held to the same standards as Sharon Township homeowners? Sharon Township Trustees responded positively and wrote a letter of support for our concerns to Columbus. The Township had written to Columbus several times, but the city has been unwilling or unable to address the Designed Sewer Outflow and they have not acknowledged that the pipe is cracked.

Shockley says the county did not put the “designed sewer outflow” in the front yard of 320 Kanawha. Sharon Township says they didn’t do it. It is unlikely that a private individual would put a “designed sewer outflow” in their front yard, even if they had the resources. Columbus has the motivation and the resources to effect such a “solution”. Columbus’ overloaded sewage system promoted this “Catch 22 solution” to relieve pressure and prevent basement backups in Riverlea and Worthington.

Our point is not to cast blame but to obtain a solution. Columbus has no effective plans for managing SSOs. All jurisdictions involved--Columbus DOSD, Franklin County, Sharon Township, Riverlea and Worthington—must work together to coordinate solutions. We hope our story will encourage citizens in the other 13 pockets of pollution and beyond to speak out for fair and immediate solutions to ALL of Columbus’ sewage overflow issues.

Wiese is a member of PROOF (Prevent Reckless Overdevelopment of the Olentangy Floodplain), a local group that blocked plans to build homes on a 3.5-acre floodplain in Sharon Twp. PROOF worked with Columbus Recreation & Parks and acquired the property for parkland. For information or to assist PROOF in protecting the Olentangy, contact Jim Wiese at <jcwiese@columbus.rr.com>.