SUMMIT COUNTY, OHIO—Summit County Executive Ilene Shapiro and County Council accepted the Village of Peninsula into the Summit County Metropolitan Sewer District at Monday’s Council meeting. The Village’s inclusion in the district follows years of discussion and planning between the County, Village, the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (OEPA), Summit County Public Health (SCPH), and residents. In December, Peninsula’s Village Council unanimously voted to request inclusion in the sewer district.
Peninsula’s lack of sanitary sewers is a longstanding environmental concern. In 2018 and 2019, SCPH and OEPA sampling identified elevated levels of E. Coli in the Cuyahoga River due to failing septic systems in the Village. In 2020, OEPA sent correspondence to the Village inquiring as to its plans for addressing the pollution in the Cuyahoga River. In that correspondence, the OEPA stated it strongly believes a centralized sewer system is the best approach to eliminate pollution stemming from the Village.
“Peninsula is one of our county’s and region’s most beloved communities. Unfortunately, it has been unable to raise the funds needed to address this serious environmental concern. The County has a vested interest in the future success of Peninsula and is excited that we and our partners finally have the funds needed to bring sewer service to Peninsula’s residents and businesses. The new infrastructure represents a permanent solution that will help ensure Peninsula remains a special place to live and visit. We appreciate the leadership of Mayor Schneider and Village Council as we work to navigate this process together,” said Executive Shapiro.
Due to the Village’s small size and limited tax base, an affordable sewer solution had been virtually impossible to secure. With the County’s commitment of $7.5 million of federal American Rescue Plan Act funds, the Village now has a financially viable plan to bring sewer service to its residents and businesses. In the lead up to the Village Council’s December vote and County Council’s vote, Executive Shapiro’s team met with concerned residents, provided a tour of a similar sewer system and held a public meeting to educate the community about the proposed plan.
Executive Shapiro’s Department of Sanitary Sewer Services (DSSS) will begin work on a detailed design of a collection and treatment system within the Village. DSSS expects design work to conclude by September 2024 and expects the sewer system to be operational by January 2026. SCPH will then work with residents and businesses that wish to connect their properties to the sewer system.
