The Consent Decree requires MSD to make significant investments in wet weather infrastructure in order to achieve the mandated reduction in CSOs. The scope and scale of these investments offers a unique platform, from which MSD and its partners can leverage additional investments in brownfield development, urban revitalization, and the creation of livable communities.
Sustainable stormwater source control, described earlier, is a central part of this strategy. Because sustainable source control solutions typically feature vegetation, landscaping, and water features, they can do double-duty as parks and trails for walking and biking. Such amenities, according to the Trust for Public Land, are important investments in community well-being that contribute to economic development and urban renewal. MSD is contributing its expertise in source control to several projects aimed at community revitalization, including the examples linked from the Sustainable Infrastructure Table of Contents at the right side of this page.
Yesterday's Decisions are Today's Liability
A few hundred years ago, prior to population growth and development in Cincinnati, there were over 300 miles of creeks and streams in the Lower Mill Creek watershed. These waterways naturally conveyed rainwater from hilltops, down hillsides, and through valleys to the Mill Creek and, eventually, to the Ohio River. As Cincinnati grew, these natural systems were replaced with roads, buildings, and sewer networks. Streams that once followed the natural landscape were directed into over 600 miles of combined sewers. Over time, the capacity of the sewer network became inadequate and has led to the CSO problems that MSD is forced to address today.
We want to ensure that the decisions that we make today do not create liabilities for future generations. Exploring all solutions through a systematic, sustainable approach will help MSD make the right choices for correcting the wet weather issues.