CONSTRUCTION
In the end , the do-not-drink advisory was a major learning experience for all of the agencies involved . The silver lining of the ordeal is the department has an established protocol for procuring consistent sampling , which is now being used as a model statewide .
Toledo Waterways Initiative Upon citizen approval in 2002 , and in compliance with the city ’ s consent decree , DPU is in the midst of the Toledo Waterways Initiative ( TWI ), a massive water pollution control project to upgrade sewer infrastructure and reduce overflows into area waterways that will cost in excess of $ 500 million .
Led by Julie Cousino , Program Administrator of TWI , the initiative is nearing completion after more than a decade since its inauguration .
TWI aims to reduce contaminants in local rivers , streams and Lake Erie by building several types of structures to hold , separate or divert storm and waste water during periods of heavy rain . This water is then funneled for treatment before being returned to the waterways .
Completed in 2006 , phase one of
TWI consisted of improvements to the water reclamation plant with the addition of a wet weather facility with cutting-edge technology , including a 25 MG equalization basin that doubled the capacity of the plant . Phase two was completed in 2014 and included the elimination of all known sanitary sewer overflows . The third portion of the program , which is currently underway , involves the reduction of combined sewer overflows . The largest project for this portion of TWI includes a 36 MG underground storage basin .
“ The Toledo Waterways Initiative is one of the most innovative initiatives I ’ ve been a part of ,” said Moore . “ This program will allow us to have
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