A. GOALS OF A WASTEWATER MANAGEMENT SYSTEM SHOULD INCLUDE:

1. Consideration of long range social, environmental and economic costs and benefits as well as immediate effects.

2. Improvement of water quality.

3. Concern for Lake Erie.

4. Preservation of natural drainage systems including lakes, rivers, floodplains and wetlands.

5. Health protection and resources recovery.

 

B. TO ACHIEVE THESE GOALS and recognizing that local conditions vary, methods of wastewater management will vary, but could include:

1. Pollution control as close to source as possible.

2. Retention/detention, screening and/or filtering of storm water runoff.

3 Separation of storm and sanitary sewers.

4. Industrial pollution control.

5. Preventive measures such as street sweeping, catch-basin cleaning.

6. Limiting the use of deicing materials, fertilizers, etc.

 

C. LWVDMA SUPPORTS MEASURES THAT:

1. Encourage saving and planting of vegetation.

2. Protect wetlands and flood plains.

3. Require on-site detention in areas of new development.

4. Encourages open space preservation.

 

D. THESE CAN BE ACCOMPLISHED BY:

1. Enactment and enforcement of local ordinances and resolutions.

2. Requiring local governments to prepare an EIS when projects significantly affect water quality.

3. Participation of local governments in watershed councils.

4. Discouraging the establishment of mosquito abatement districts because of adverse effects on water quality.

5. Encouraging tax policies as an incentive to preserve drainage systems.

6. Having factual information provided to citizens so that there is an opportunity for a meaningful public input at all stages of the decision-making process.

7. Local officials should:

a. Take water quality into consideration when making land use decisions.

b. Consider the secondary consequences- economic, social and environmental when planning sewer development.

 

E. WATER TREATMENT PLANTS

1. The degree of water treatment should depend on local conditions, most importantly on the condition of receiving waters.

2. Secondary treatment is a minimum goal and advanced treatment should be sought.

3. Should be built with the potential for advanced treatment.

4. When siting treatment plants, the following should be considered:

a. The water quantity and quality of the natural river system.

b. The efficiency of operation.

c. Surface water flow in natural areas.

d. Cost effectiveness including transportation of sewage, ability to handle emergencies, social concerns and vulnerability to disaster.

5. Should be required to use methods to detect and treat severe types of polluted influents.

6. We favor modular construction and monitoring to prevent breakdowns of the systems and to protect receiving waters.

 

F. Recognizing that the treatment of water is costly, both financially and in terms of energy consumption, we favor a public education program in water conservation.