City of Lakewood Seeks Members for New ‘Clean Water Lakewood’ Advisory Group

The city of Lakewood is working on a multi-year, multi-million-dollar plan to continue the city’s progress under the 1972 Clean Water Act.  The Ohio EPA approved a permit last year that will enable the city to improve the city’s stormwater management and reduce wastewater overflows into the Rocky River and Lake Erie.

For some guidance in the process, the city is looking to establish a volunteer-driven working group Clean Water Lakewood to help transform water infrastructure in Lakewood. The resident group will focus on facilitating best-practice solutions for wastewater overflows.

Lakewood’s combined sewers are designed to take all wastewater to the treatment plant, which can process more than 30 million gallons per day. However, during storms, the volume of rainwater entering the combined sewer system can exceed both the capacity of the combined sewers and the treatment plant. The new agreement includes plans for sewer separation projects and wastewater treatment investments.

“No one more than the city of Lakewood desires to do our part to improve the cleanliness of our local watershed, especially our wonderful Lake Erie,” said Lakewood Mayor Michael Summers.

“We hope to receive some guidance from our community’s strong and diverse group of residents, business owners and thought leaders in Lakewood.”

Anyone interested in participating in the Clean Water Lakewood working group is encouraged to call the mayor’s office at 216-529-6093. The first meeting is slated to take place July 16.