CSO

Combined sewer systems were the norm for the mid- to late-19th century before centralized wastewater treatment became the solution to
protecting public health of the increasing populations located in urban areas. Originally, combined sewer systems discharged continuously
into the surface waters at various outfalls along the system to minimize the contact between people and waste. The majority of the
combined sewer systems in Kentucky are located along the Ohio River because most of these river towns are older. Also, some larger cities
opted for combined sewers because they were the cheapest option. If you have walked the streets of Philadelphia, New York or Paris, you
have most likely walked over large, complex combined sewer systems without realizing it.

The other sewer design option is the construction of sanitary sewers. Sanitary sewers are sewer systems designed to transport only
domestic, commercial and industrial wastewater. In most cases, stormwater runoff is collected and directed to the nearest surface
waterbody through the use of storm sewers. Sanitary sewers are now the standard for transport of wastewater to a centralized wastewater
treatment facility. Construction of new combined sewers is prohibited under 401 KAR 5:005, Section 8.

After centralized wastewater treatment became available for cities with combined sewer systems, adjustments were made to the
system that directed the dry weather flow to the treatment plant. However, the surface water outfalls were left in place with
diversion structures such as weirs and dams to create “relief” points during times of increased precipitation or heavy rain. If the
wastewater flow is too much for the capacity of the combined sewers, then the wastewater will spill over the diversion structure
and out an outfall into the surface water. These types of discharges are called combined sewer overflows, or CSOs (see the
graphic above). Without the combined sewer outfalls, the wastewater and extra stormwater would overwhelm the capacity of the
combined sewers during major wet weather events and cause basement backups in private residences or discharge through
manhole structures. These types of overflows can occur in separate sanitary sewer systems and are commonly called sanitary
sewer overflows, or SSOs.

Raw sewage can carry a variety of human bacteria and viruses. Depending on the amount and concentration of the sewage and on how people are exposed to
it, these bacteria and viruses can cause illness. Combined sewer overflows also contain a variety of chemicals, oils and other wastes picked up by stormwater
as it flows across parking lots, roads, lawns and other surfaces. Most combined sewer overflows occur during rain and are therefore diluted by rain and river
water, but the potential for health and environmental hazards is still present. People most likely to be affected are water skiers, swimmers and others involved in
water sports.

There are water quality standards in Kentucky that limit the amount of certain bacteria in water. When these standards are exceeded, the Division of Water, in
conjunction with the Department for Health Services, issues advisories to alert citizens to potential health hazards.

Some factors to take into account when determining the level of risk or characteristics of the discharge are time of day that the combined sewer system begins
to discharge, ability of the publicly owned treatment works to capture the first flush, size of receiving surface waters and duration of the precipitation event.

Combined sewer overflows that occur in the absence of wet weather are called dry weather overflows. Dry weather overflows are usually a result of line
blockages, power failures at pump stations, bottlenecks in the system or some other operation and maintenance issue. Adjusting the regulator settings of
combined sewer systems for peak water usage during dry conditions will help ensure that dry weather discharges do not occur. Dry weather CSO discharges
are prohibited under the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System program. Dry weather overflows consist of concentrated wastewater, and the risks
associated with exposure are therefore greater than wet weather combined sewer overflows

What is Ashland doing and is doing nothing an option? No, doing nothing is not an option and allow no politican
to tell you otherwise. The City must address CSO's to comply with the Federal Clean Water Act. The City has
entered into an agreement with an engineering firm which specializes in CSO issues. What's all this cost and the
compliance date? Total costs is uncertain but could range $30 million dollars and total compliance must occur
by 2017. Federal courts have denied other cities request to move the complaince date back to allow cities to
conform to this problem.

With no enthusiasm, the city commission voted to increase sewer rates $2.50 per thousand gallons. This
will cost the average user of 4,000 a month, $10.00 additional dollars on their utility bill. I am well aware
that this will cause an undue hardship on families and small business.

Doing nothing to comply with the Clean Water Act is not an option. The total cost of the project, which
must be completed by December 2017, is estimated to cost between $40 - $60 million dollars.

This is a clear case of Washington and Frankforts knows best. The Ohio River is clean 300 days a year
and if this makes it clean 340 days a year, is it worth $40 + million? No.

My view is this project is a perfect candidate for federal stimulus funds, which are controlled by Frankfort
politicans. But Frankfort used much of Kentucky stimulus funds to shore up the state budget.

Read more below on combined sewer overflows.