May 31, 2001

Time to put a end to Tiffin's pollution problem

If you live or work in Tiffin, you're part of an organized pollution effort.

Harsh as that sounds, it's true.

And it will continue to be until many of the city's sanitary and storm sewers -- in too many instances now one and the same -- are replaced, upgraded and/or separated.

The shortcomings of the Tiffin sewer system have been known for years. They have been documented in eight comprehensive engineering studies prior to the new one that was completed this year.

Little was done -- besides the commissioning of studies -- until the Gibson Run sewer replacement in 1998.

Now the new study confronts the City Council, offering members an opportunity to establish a systematic solving of the sewer problems.

That's going to cost money ... big money.

But that would have been the case if the problem had been addressed in the 1960s. And it still would be the case if action were to be postponed, something the Environmental Protection Agency would not be apt to allow.

It's a wonder that the EPA has not been tougher about forcing Tiffin to end the rainwater-induced overflows of its combined sewers into the Sandusky River.

Councilman Jim Boroff Tuesday night presented for discussion the possibility of an 18-percent rise in sewer rates to the needed improvements during the next 20-25 years. His concept would be to avoid millions of dollars in interest payments during that period that would result from borrowing to finance the projects.

His is an excellent notion.

Such ideas have been proposed before. If there had been action at the time, we might be witnessing the end of the sewer projects instead of the beginning.

Whether Boroff's idea is used, or another approach is chosen, it's time for a commitment to the task -- from start to finish.

The council has put aside money for the engineering for one of the recommended projects. That should lead to action on the $2.1-million new sanitary sewers in the North Sandusky-Tomb streets area.

Members of the council also should establish a long-term schedule for the rest of the recommendations, and develop a funding method.

And residents of the city should rally behind such actions. It's time we all take responsibility for the ongoing water pollution and make sure it comes to an end.