STRATEGY 2: Control What Enters the Wastewater Collection and Treatment System

Eliminating or reducing the amount of pollutants entering the sewer system has a positive effect on river quality. Efforts to control pollutants in system can be directed in four different areas.

0. Reduce the amount of pollutants that can potentially enter the system. This means reducing the production of potential pollutants or developing alternatives to the system for pollutant disposal.

1. Reduce the opportunity for pollutants to enter the system. This means intervening between a pollutant and its physical entry into the system.

2. Remove pollutants from the system before they can discharge into the receiving streams.

3. Capture pollutants during discharge. This is both labor and capital intensive and will be addressed as needed based upon the characterization study being completed.

Accomplishments

• Reduce the amount of public-produced pollutants that enter the system.

• Reduce the amount of industrial produced pollutants that enter the system

Activities such as the Tox-Away Program, recycling, Hazardous Spill Response, the Industrial Pretreatment Program, and Street Sweeping appear to be more than adequate. Each of these activities reduces the amount of public and industrial produced pollutants that could enter the system. However, existing water quality data are inconclusive as to the level of water quality impacts caused by public produced or industrial produced pollutants in the combined sewer system. The Catch Basin & Inlet Cleaning program, which also reduces the introduction of public produced pollutants into the system, appears adequate but may be adjusted if the evidence suggests a change is needed.

Currently, City Utilities is conducting an "Impact Characterization Study" to determine which CSO outfalls discharge an unacceptable amount of floatable materials, solid materials and other pollutants into Fort Wayne's rivers and streams. Once data is collected, City Utilities can prioritize those outfalls for additional control mechanisms.

• Reduce the rate at which stormwater enters the system.

One of the ways that stormwater gets into the combined sewer system is through a process called inflow. Stormwater flows into the system from storm sewer inlets but also from downspouts, foundation drains, yard drains and sump pumps that are connected directly to the sewer lines. Slowing the flow of stormwater into the combined sewer system from these sources would help control what enters the system. A pilot downspout disconnection program conducted in the North Highlands neighborhood in summer 1996 seems to have reduced the amount and severity of basement backups in wet weather that result from the combined sewer system being too full of stormwater. A brochure and video have been created to help homeowners learn how to disconnect their downspouts. The Sewer Task Force recommended that a voluntary downspout disconnection program be expanded. There is some support for changing the City's Sewer Use Ordinance to make the connection of downspouts to combined sewers illegal.