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Middleburg Heights

Continues Storm Water

Action Plan

On Friday, April 18, Middleburg Heights held a follow-up meeting to update the Storm Water Action plan that resulted from the August 2007 storms. Representatives from the Cuyahoga County Sanitary Engineers Office, Middleburg Heights Service Department, Middleburg Heights Engineer, Middleburg Heights Finance Department and Mayor Gary W. Starr were in attendance. The purpose of this meeting was to get an update on the investigation into the causes of the August 2007 storm water issues and to further implement corrective action.

Since September 2007, the City of Middleburg Heights and the Cuyahoga County Sanitary Engineers have been actively researching and correcting issues associated with the August storms. Since September, the storm sewer system located around Big Creek Parkway, Bagley Road, Pearl Road, and Smith Road has been identified as a target area.

The Middleburg Heights Service Department has been active in cleaning and inspecting storm sewers in the Big Creek / Pearl Drainage Area. Along with the County Sanitary Engineers, our Service Department has cleaned numerous catch basins and drainage paths. Specifically, the City of Middleburg Heights has completed the reopening of an enclosed drainage way near the corner of Big Creek Parkway and Smith Road. This project involved the redigging of a formerly enclosed storm water drainage path to increase the flow of water away from Big Creek Parkway and Smith Road. This project is complete and has helped to alleviate flooding at that intersection.

The Cuyahoga County Sanitary Engineers and our City Engineer have also been actively investigating the causes of the August 2007 storm water issues by such means as flow monitoring in storm sewers and smoke testing. With the help of the Middleburg Heights Engineer, Cuyahoga County has installed three flow monitors in storm sewers in the Big Creek / Pearl Drainage area. These monitors track and record the amount of water through those storm sewers during rain events. From September 2007 through March of 2008, one of these meters provided unanticipated water levels. In an effort to further identify the source of this water, several of these flow monitors will be relocated.

Additionally, Cuyahoga County has been active in cleaning storm sewer main lines in an effort to alleviate any flooding issues. Specifically, Cuyahoga County has cleaned, inspected, and televised the storm sewer mains on Uhlin, Old Pleasant Valley, and Shawnee. These private sewers were substantially clogged with roots and other debris. Cuyahoga County has been successful in dramatically increasing the flow in these sewers.

The County has also been active in trying to identify the points of entry, where storm water infiltrates our sanitary sewers. This is done using a smoke test. Smoke testing introduces a stream of smoke into the sanitary sewers. Then by identifying where smoke exits (down spouts, sanitary sewer stacks, etc.), the County can determine improper or unmaintained sewer connections that may allow large amounts of storm water into the sanitary sewers causing flooding from floor drains. Homes with ambiguous or negative results will need further testing to determine if any problems exist. The Middleburg Heights Service Department is now working with the Cuyahoga County Sanitary Engineers to continue this investigation.

Of final concern is the condition of the rear yard storm sewers located along Uhlin, Old Pleasant Valley, and Shawnee. Currently, this storm sewer is believed to be a private sewer. The Middleburg Heights Law Department is beginning a formal title search to identify the ownership of this sewer. Middleburg Heights is investigating the possibility of additional manholes and relining the storm sewers in this area, however the question of ownership remains.

The goal of the city remains to eliminate basement flooding. We are actively working on solutions to the problems experienced last year and will continue to do so. Should you have any questions about this action plan, please call Jeff Minch, Executive Assistant to Mayor Gary W. Starr, at 440-234-8811.

Contact

City Hall can be contacted by calling (440) 234-8811 during normal business hours, Monday through Friday, except during holidays.