CLEVELAND, Oct. 18, 2006 -- The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD) announces a significant accomplishment benefiting the aquatic life and Greater Cleveland. The NEORSD's Water Quality and Industrial Surveillance (WQIS) Environmental Assessment personnel conducted three aquatic life tests, both upstream and downstream of the Cuyahoga River, and the results indicate that local waters have improved tremendously, achieving the Ohio EPA's biological criteria.
Criteria included composition, abundance and condition of individual fish. Since the inception of the District in 1972, it is the first time such standards have been reached. During the most recent aquatic life test, the NEORSD identified several species not found previously in this part of the river. For example, the Silver Redhorse, a fish sensitive to pollution, was recently discovered.
The presence of this fish and others demonstrate the significance of steps the NEORSD has taken to ensure clean water in our lake and streams. Other species recently identified for the first time include the Silverjaw Minnow, Brook Silverside, and Spotted Sucker.
Such a significant improvement to the water quality can be attributed in part to upgrades in the treatment facilities, especially the NEORSD Southerly Wastewater Treatment Plant and the City of Akron Wastewater Treatment Plant; the policing of industry and installation of industrial pretreatment; the removal of ammonia and chlorine from treated wastewater; and the decrease in combined untreated wastewater and storm water (CSO), especially with the recent addition of the Mill Creek tunnel.
The Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District (www.neorsd.org) operates three wastewater treatment plants and related water pollution control facilities on Lake Erie, the Cuyahoga River and Rocky River to assure clean water for a Greater Cleveland. It serves more than one million people in 60 suburban communities and the city of Cleveland.
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