Council presents ordinance for flood prevention
NEWTON FALLS -- City council presented a few options Monday that may help the city in future flooding emergencies.
The focus of the new ideas is an ordinance that would prohibit new properties from having their downspouts and sump pumps empty directly into the city's sewer system, officials said.
The combination sewer system drains both sewage and storm water.
Heavy rains in July and early August caused the system to overflow, and preventing direct discharge from private property will lessen the surge of water and, hopefully, the amount of flooding throughout the city.
The ordinance will affect only new homes being developed, officials noted.
A special 30-inch storm drain is also in the planning stages. The drain will run from the combination sewer system into the west branch of the Mahoning River.
City council members will try to apply for state funding for the project, which they hope to have completed some time next year.
The city is also looking to receive some aid from the county or the state for flood damages. Council is planning a walk-through of the city with officials to assess the damages.