GIRARD Cops probe flooding at sewage plant

The mayor says damage was minimal and was the result of wrongdoing.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
GIRARD -- Police have been called to investigate what appears to be the intentional flooding of the sewage treatment plant.
Mayor James J. Melfi said Wednesday that two of four pumps were turned off, causing sewage and water to back up into the basement.
Liquid sewage was dumped into Little Squaw Creek that flows into the Mahoning River. The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency has been notified of the discharge.
Melfi stopped short of terming the damage to the pumps and motors as sabotage, but did say that turning them off was the result of wrongdoing.
The matter was turned over to Safety Director Frank Rich and police have been told to investigate, the mayor said.
Melfi wasn't blaming anyone for the damage.
Discovery of cause
The discovery of what caused the basement to flood wasn't made until about 11 a.m. Wednesday, after it was pumped out.
The plant has been functioning, although it was shut down because of flooding during July storms, resulting in $1.8 million damage.
New equipment was installed -- and some was restored -- since the flooding.
Melfi said the pumps and motors will be dried out and electrical system repaired. He characterized the damage as minimal.
The mayor explained that all the pumps were turned on and functioning when the only shift at the plant left work Tuesday afternoon.
There was no sign of forced entry to the facility, Melfi pointed out. The fence that surrounds it was not damaged and the lock on the fence gate was intact.
Too much to handle
Melfi said that with two pumps turned off and Tuesday's heavy rain, the remaining two pumps could not handle the volume. Thus, water and sewage backed up into the basement.
The basement was pumped out. Melfi said the plant was shut down for a "short period of time."
Liquid sewage was released into the creek, the mayor explained, as solids settled to the bottom of retention ponds at the facilities.
yovich@vindy.com