Youngstown sewage discharge into Mill Creek Park lake results in fish kill

YOUNGSTOWN — The city’s fish-killing sewage discharge into Lake Newport exceeded 100,000 gallons, according to an initial report by an Ohio Environmental Protection Agency emergency responder.

While the incident – and the smell that resulted – has some park-goers upset, Youngstown Mayor John A. McNally said the latest fish kill won’t change the city’s schedule on a $48 million project to keep wastewater from flowing into Mill Creek.

The design work is to start July 11, 2020, with “substantial completion” by Dec. 3, 2033, he said.

“This is probably an unfortunate event,” McNally said. “You have discharge and storm water runoff in general. It’s unfortunate, but situations like this won’t be rectified for years down the road.”

But Ohio Senate Minority Leader Joe Schiavoni of Boardman, D-33rd, said Youngstown’s system, which dates back to 1913, of using Mill Creek’s lakes as overflow for its sewage is “outdated.”

For the complete story, read Wednesday's Vindicator and Vindy.com