• Nation's largest green sewer overflow pilot project is in south Kansas City
KANSAS CITY, MO, Jan. 14, 2009 -- The Kansas City, Missouri Water Services Department will introduce its Middle Blue River Basin Green Solutions Pilot Project to more than 300 property owners at a public meeting Monday, Jan. 26. The meeting is at 6:30 p.m. at the United Believers Community Church, 7546 Troost Ave.
The pilot project is located in the Middle Blue River water basin area, which extends from 73rd Street to 77th Terrace and Holmes Road to Paseo Boulevard. The project will use green solutions to capture stormwater before it enters the combined sewer system, thereby reducing overflows downstream. This project also will measure the performance of green solutions, and use the information in future green solution designs.
"The targeted area represents just one component of the City's commitment to use green solutions to control stormwater runoff," said John Franklin, assistant city manager and acting director of the Water Services Department.
This project is part of the City's Overflow Control Plan that will be submitted for approval to federal and state regulatory agencies this month.
"The sewer overflow problem is one of the most complex and expensive infrastructure efforts in Kansas City's history," said Terry Leeds, the Water Services Department's Overflow Control program manager. "Sewer overflows impact the entire city because they can lead to sewer backups and water quality issues in our streams, lakes and rivers. Green solutions are an alternative to grey solutions typically used to reduce combined sewer overflows."
City Council members, City staff and key neighborhood leaders will be in attendance at the meeting. Results from the recent survey work of the combined sewer system and the project's schedule also will be shared at the meeting.
"We are really counting on the involvement and input of the residents in this area," Leeds said. "The benefits of using green solutions include overflow reduction, project cost savings, beautification of the community, environmental benefits and increases in green space, property values and neighborhood pride."
>> More information about the Middle Blue River Basin Green Solutions Pilot Project
The Kansas City, Missouri Water Services Department maintains and operates water collection treatment and distribution systems, stormwater management and wastewater collection and treatment for residential and business customers in Kansas City, Missouri. Water Services produces the No. 1 ranked tap water in the country. The department also sells water to 33 wholesale customers in the metro area and treats wastewater for 27 satellite customers. Operation of all three utilities is funded entirely by fees charged to customers based on their use of products and services, not taxes.
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