Lexington, KY - The next major project resulting from the EPA's mandate to repair our sanitary sewer system will begin in early spring next year. The first targeted area will be in the 5th District.
I am already receiving a lot of questions about the project, which will be the largest project in the entire sewer rehabilitation program and will center in the Ecton Park area.
As you know, Lexington-Fayette County is under orders from the EPA to address multiple, recurring sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs) in our systems. Lexington had an average of 480 SSOs per year from 2008 through 2010, creating major headaches for many residents.
Compliance with EPA is under the direction of the Division of Water Quality (DWQ). DWQ completed its first rehab project in the Wolf Run Creek watershed earlier this year. The next project is in the West Hickman watershed around the Ecton Park area.
DWQ's analysis indicates that more waste water and sewage escapes or overflows from the West Hickman watershed than in any other part of Lexington, contributing directly to SSO problems in neighborhoods downstream.
The sanitary sewer system in the West Hickman watershed runs through private property in neighborhoods surrounding Ecton Park as well as in the public right-of-way in the area. While many other neighborhoods will be inconvenienced by dig-and-replace sewer repairs over the next nine years, our neighborhood will be the first, and we will work together to make it the best.
According to DWQ's analysis, this project is going to affect some, but not all, properties in the Ecton Park area. When and how much will vary from street to street and property to property, but here is some of the important information you need to know:
1. This project is necessary to correct our community's sewer problems and to comply with the EPA's requirements. Failure to comply would result in increasing fines that Lexington would have to pay to the federal government and continuing problems for property owners who have been dealing with flooded basements and other sewer-related problems for decades.
2. DWQ will make every effort to restore impacted property to pre-construction condition at no cost to the property owner.
3. Consideration is being given to allow landscape contractors who have worked previously for specific owners to do the work on those properties.
Please do not hesitate to contact the Division of Water Quality or the 5th District Council Office before, during and after construction if you have any questions.
Fall Leaf Collection
One of the biggest problems we face in Lexington during the fall are leaves that wash into the sewer system. Any kind of yard waste that winds up in the sewers, from grass clippings to leaves, contributes to poor drainage and possible overflows.
The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government Leaf Collection Program is one way to dispose of your leaves. Another is to bag them and put them at the curb to be picked up with your trash.
However, please remember to keep yard waste separate from other trash. Do not put leaves in plastic bags; they will not be collected.
The city's leaf collection this year will run through Dec. 30. Sometime during that period, trucks will vacuum leaves on your street that have been raked to the curb. Remember, don't rake them into the street, just to the curb or in the area between the curb and sidewalk.
Visit www.lexingtonky.gov and click on "leaf collection" to determine when your neighborhood is scheduled for collection.
Bill Farmer, Jr. Is the 5th District council representative. He can be reached at (859) 258-3212, by e-mail at bfarmer@lexingtonky.gov, or by fax at (859) 259-3838. Letters may be addressed to: Councilmember Bill Farmer, Urban County Council, 200 E. Main St., Lexington, KY 40507.