The price of a 1986 model, used Elgin street sweeper – $9,999.

Thursday, October 18, 2001

The price of a 1986 model, used Elgin street sweeper – $9,999. Meeting the requirements of the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency – priceless.

Mayor Bob Cleary told finance committee members at last night’s meeting that the city purchased a street sweeper using money from the wastewater department, an enterprise fund separate from general fund monies.

City officials were happy with the price tag – newer models cost more than $100,000 – and by purchasing an Elgin model street sweeper, the city has a built-in replacement parts source – parts can be used from the broken down street sweeper already owned by the city.

The major focus of purchasing a street sweeper isn’t to improve the city’s cosmetics, though. It’s to bring the city into compliance with mandates handed down from the OEPA.

Last December, Cleary and the city’s wastewater superintendent, John Haskins, received a letter from the OEPA stating the city has failed to meet two of nine minimum controls as a part of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permits held by the city. The permits allow the city to discharge storm water directly into the Ohio River.

Trash and debris from the streets are a part of the problem cited by the OEPA. Litter is trapped in catch basins in the storm sewers. The catch basins are designed to hold the everyday debris gathered on the road. The catch basins become overfilled when grass clippings, leaves, and other litter finds its way into them.

If the debris goes into storm sewers, then the trash goes directly to the Ohio River, adding to pollution. If the litter goes into the combination sewer/storm water lines, then the trash goes to the waste water treatment plant were filters block some of the heavier material and items that pass through the filter have to be treated before it is released into the river.

The state’s EPA office has cited: "control of solid and floatable materials in the CSO discharge" and "proper operation and maintenance programs for the sewer system and CSO points," as areas where the city needs to make improvements.

The letter from the EPA states that a street sweeping program was listed in the City’s Combined Sewer Overflow Operation and Maintenance Plan dated January, 1998. Since then, the city has not had a street sweeper program. The EPA recommends " A regular street sweeping program should be implemented immediately to bring the City in compliance with this minimum control."

The OEPA started reviewing the city’s permits on Oct. 1 of this year. By operating the street sweeper, the city fulfills the OEPA’s requirement.