Metropolitan Sewer District

A federal judge ruled this week the Metropolitan Sewer District must follow Hamilton County's plan for the second phase of projects that are part of a federal consent decree to reduce sewer overflows into streams and rivers.

A long-awaited project to stop raw sewage from flowing into Muddy Creek in Green Township could clear a major hurdle soon.

Updated 3-20-20 8:10 a.m.

The maker of Charmin toilet paper, Procter & Gamble, says they're making it as fast as they can, but people are still reporting empty shelves as others stockpile in case of quarantine. The run on toilet paper has the Metropolitan Sewer District trumpeting a longtime message. 

Spokeswoman Deb Leonard says only a few things should be flushed.

There could soon be some relief for Green Township residents who have been dealing with raw sewage in parts of Muddy Creek.

The regulators overseeing the Metropolitan Sewer District federal consent decree are responding to the latest court fight concerning work on the next phase of the agreement.

Attorneys for Cincinnati say the city should not be found in contempt of court concerning the MSD federal consent decree.

Cincinnati and Hamilton County will be asking a federal judge to eliminate the 24-hour limited period for Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) customers to report sewer back-ups in their basements.  

Hamilton County and Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) officials are expected to meet in the next week to discuss ways to stop untreated sewage overflows from entering Muddy Creek in Green Township. Residents along the creek have been complaining about the issue for years.  Their complaints include odors and even toilet paper hanging in trees along the creek.

A Cincinnati council committee and the Hamilton County commissioners could hold a joint meeting in two weeks to discuss ongoing issues and disagreement concerning the Metropolitan Sewer District. Meanwhile, the county filed a motion in federal court last weekend asking that a judge hold the city in contempt of court for violating a consent decree to reduce sewer overflows.

The Hamilton County Commissioners and Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) officials had a testy exchange Thursday afternoon about projects in the second phase of a federal consent decree to reduce sewer overflows during heavy rain events.

Metropolitan Sewer District customers will find out Thursday if they'll be paying higher rates next year.  

A Metropolitan Sewer District employee has been selected as a 2020 Fulbright scholar. It's not the first time for Achal Garg, the supervising chemist won the coveted scholarship in 2012 to study water recycling in Namibia.

Communities United For Action (CUFA) says the Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD) isn't doing enough protect people from sewer overflows and expensive bills. The agency is hosting a public meeting Saturday with EPA officials to give people an opportunity to voice their concerns.

Two working groups will soon be looking at another proposal to make Hamilton County sewer rates more affordable. This effort could result in an impervious surface fee to aid the Metropolitan Sewer District (MSD).  

The entities that oversee Hamilton County's sewer fix have cut the Gordian Knot that is the fight between the county and Cincinnati. The regulators are imposing their own version of Phase 2A of the consent decree, as the county and city try to win approval for their competing plans.

The U.S. EPA, Ohio EPA, and the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission have a $2 billion plan for the next stage of the storm sewer separation and renovation project. Hamilton County and Cincinnati went before a federal judge in 2018, each hoping to win approval of their Phase 2A visions.

A Metropolitan Sewer District investigation has determined why some Northside homes were flooded earlier this month. Interim Director Diana Christy says runoff from a heavy rain on June 15 and 16 escaped a couple of catch basins and flooded homes around Kirby and Virginia Avenues.

The Metropolitan Sewer District has been investigating reports of backed up sewers after days of rain and some flash flooding. Northside was one of many neighborhoods that reported damage. Community Council President Mary Meinrich says several people whose homes were flooded spoke at a regularly scheduled meeting Monday night.

Updated June 8 at 9 a.m.

Winton Lake at Winton Woods is now open to recreation, including boating and fishing.

"As cleanup efforts wind down, isolated portions of the lake may be closed temporarily through next week," Great Parks says in a statement. "Guests should obey posted signs."

A solution could be coming for some Mt. Washington neighbors fed up with years of sewers backing up in their basements during heavy rains.