Illinois Valley Times

The city of Ottawa said recently that contractors will be gathering field-survey data and elevations in 30 more neighborhoods as part of the ongoing Long Term Control Plan, which aims to eliminate combined sewers.

While the contractors will be working in the neighborhoods and flagging or marking locations, they will not need to enter any residences or businesses.

The combined sewer system can result in overflows when stormwater and wastewater flow into the same sewer system. A combined sewer overflow (CSO) can result in untreated sewage being released into the Fox and Illinois rivers.

Approximately one-third of the city's system directs stormwater and wastewater into the same pipes in the sanitary water system. From there, it is pumped to the wastewater treatment plant. At the time the system was built more than 100 years ago, it was considered a state-of-the-art sewer system.

The project will not resolve all problems in the sewer system, including basement backups. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requires that cities reduce the number of CSOs to improve the rivers' water quality. The Ottawa project is scheduled for completion in 2024.

For a list of the latest 30 neighborhoods to be surveyed, please go to www.cityofottawa.org/government/news-and-announcements/1016-contractors-gathering-information-for-the-city-s-of-ottawa-s-long-term-control-plan.