Combined Sewer Overflow

Combined Sewer Overflow (CSO)

A combined sewer is designed to transport both stormwater and sewage in the same pipe. Normally, all of this wastewater and rainwater flows together to a wastewater treatment plant, where it is treated and released back into the environment. However, during times of heavy rainfall or snow melt, the capacity of the combined sewer system may be exceeded, causing untreated wastewater and stormwater to be released into a stream, river, or lake through a combined sewer overflow (CSO).

Many large cities, like Cleveland, still utilize combined sewers that were installed many years ago. When these sewers overflow into our local water bodies, they can cause significant water pollution and lead to beach closings.

For more information:

Ohio Environmental Protection Agency
https://www.epa.ohio.gov/dsw/cso/csoindex

United States Environmental Protection Agency
https://www.epa.gov/npdes/combined-sewer-overflows-csos

Local CSO Notifications

Northeast Ohio Regional Sewer District
https://www.neorsd.org/cso-alerts-map-and-status-of-outfalls/

Click here for NEORSD contact information

City of Euclid
http://www.cityofeuclid.com/community/service/SewerDepartment/CombinedSewerOverflowPublicNotification

Click here for City of Euclid contact information

City of Lakewood
http://cso.onelakewood.com

Click here for City of Lakewood contact information