Contamination: 'Situation is dire'

The health commissioner says he may have to order the upgrade of septic systems.
By TIM YOVICH
VINDICATOR TRUMBULL STAFF
WARREN -- Contamination of Mosquito Lake, the source of the city's drinking water, has become serious, health officials say.
"The situation is dire," Dr. James Enyart, Trumbull County health commissioner, said Tuesday during the county commissioners' work session.
A primary source of raw sewage making its way to the reservoir is from 60 homes along Lakeshore Drive on the western shoreline, just north of the state park in Bazetta Township.
Sewage discharges from home septic systems into an unnamed stream that empties into the lake.
"We have to look at abatement of a nuisance and disease," said Frank Migliozzi, county director of environmental health.
Septic dilemmas
Migliozzi explained that of the 60 homes, only one has a new working septic system. The remainder don't function properly with no chlorination or filtration systems.
Dr. Enyart said upgrading the individual septic systems is not the answer, but he will be forced to order the property owners to install chlorination and filtration systems that will cost them between $2,000 and $2,500 each as a stop-gap measure.
Gary Newbrough, county sanitary engineer, said that one temporary remedy being engineered is the expansion of a package sewage treatment facility on Sterling Drive, just south of Lakeshore.
Newbrough explained the sewage could be collected and pumped from Lakeshore to an upgraded Sterling Drive plant for treatment. The cost to improve the plant is about $1.5 million; that could treat the sewage for about 20 years.
Sewer lines
Migliozzi said the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency doesn't want individual septic systems to be upgraded. Rather, the regulators want sanitary sewer lines to be constructed.
Migliozzi noted that the Ohio EPA has been opposed to expansion of the package plant because it doesn't take into account growth in the area. He also added the regulatory agency is concerned that even with the plant expansion, it will not comply with effluent limitation standards. A public hearing on the plant will be held sometime in July.
Dr. Enyart said that if the plant doesn't get approval or if the hearing isn't held, he will order the septic tanks upgraded.
The upgrading will not stop the contamination of the lake, the health commissioner added.
Permanent solution
Don Urchak, a Lakeshore resident, said his neighbors don't want a temporary solution to the flow of sewage into the lake.
"We want a permanent fix," Urchak said, noting that the property owners are having their septic tanks pumped every two years to help until a permanent solution is found.
"The nuisance is going on right now. We just can't let this drag on. Something must be done," Dr. Enyart countered.
Commissioners will also consider a resolution at today's meeting declaring the necessity of constructing the East Central Bazetta Sanitary Sewer Improvement Project on the east side of the lake.
Engineering on the nearly $2.2 million effort is complete. The area includes state Route 305, between state Routes 5 and 46; and Northview, Williams, Circle and Morrow drives, Wilmar Street and sections of Route 46 and McCleary-Jacoby Road.
Newbrough said the project could start in September and take four months. It would provide sanitary lines to about 150 homes.
yovich@vindy.com