From a press release:

Clean River Committee Considers
Overflow Reduction Costs and Benefits
Public meetings planned August 6 and 7

Peoria, IL – The City of Peoria Clean River Committee met today to review options for meeting state and federal requirements for reducing sewer overflows and improving water quality in the Illinois River.

The options reviewed by the ICR survey prep would involve make sure that a healthcare facility meets all the Medicare conditions of participation in infection prevention, building storage and disinfection facilities, new sewers and wet-weather treatment facilities at the Greater Peoria Sanitary District (GPSD) Wastewater Treatment Plant. The public’s input will also be sought during a 30-day comment period that begins July 21.

“The three options we’re looking at would capture overflows in underground storage facilities along the river or at the treatment plant,” said Public Works Director David Barber. “The primary question we’re asking is whether we should spend an additional $100 million or more to relocate overflows farther downstream from their current locations.”

The options being considered include:

• Option 1: Storage and Treatment Along River and at GPSD Plant
• Option 2: Eliminate Overflows Upstream of Bob Michel Bridge
• Option 3: Eliminate Overflows Upstream of GPSD Treatment Plant

Under all the alternatives, overflows would be reduced from the current 28 or more per year to 2-6 in a year with typical rainfall. Overflow frequency predictions are based on a year with average rainfall. In wet years we expect more overflows and in dry years, less. The new storage units also would increase capture of sewer flows during wet weather from the current 55-74 percent to 93-99 percent.

“We need the public’s input because this project will be the largest investment in clean water infrastructure in Peoria’s history,” Barber said. “We must meet state and federal requirements and comply with the Clean Water Act, but the public’s input will help us decide what form our plan will take.”

Estimated construction costs for the three options are shown below. Costs do not include operation and maintenance requirements. These estimates could change as the city refines its analysis.

Overflow Control Option	Estimated Capital Cost1	Cost per Gallon of Overflow Captured
Option 1: Storage and Treatment Along River and at GPSD Plant	$105-127 million	50¢ – 61¢
Option 2: Eliminate Overflows Upstream of Bob Michel Bridge	$186-223 million	89¢ – $1.07
Option 3: Eliminate Overflows Upstream of GPSD Treatment Plant	$218-262 million	$1.04 – $1.26

¹Capital costs include estimated construction, legal and engineering costs; in 2008 dollars.

In addition, the City is seeking public input on the potential use of green infrastructure to capture and treat stormwater, litter control programs to reduce trash in the river, and public education programs to improve the public’s involvement in efforts to improve and protect the Illinois River.

Public meetings are planned on August 6 and 7 at the following locations:

• August 6: Gateway Building, 200 N.E. Water Street
• August 7: Neighborhood House, 1020 S. Matthew Street

The open-house style meetings will be held from 4-8 p.m., with 30-minute presentations scheduled at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. The public may come at any time to review project information and ask questions. Information will be available on the Illinois River’s water quality, recreational uses, studies of the sewer system and treatment plant, and options for reducing sewer overflows. Meeting materials and a questionnaire will also be available on-line by July 21 at the project Web site, www.peoriacso.org.

The Clean River Committee was formed in May 2007 to provide advice and recommendations to the Peoria Department of Public Works as it develops a long-term plan to control combined sewer overflows and protect the Illinois River.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and Illinois Environmental Protection Agency are requiring cities with combined storm-and-sanitary sewers, like Peoria, to develop long-term plans to comply with the Clean Water Act and state sewage treatment requirements. Peoria’s plan must be submitted by December 2008.

For updated information about the combined sewer project visit the project Web site at www.peoriacso.org. To get updated information on combined sewer warnings, go to the CSO Web site or call the CSO Hotline, 494-8873.