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CURRENT ESTIMATE OF COSTS FOR CENTRAL COLLECTION SEWERS AND TREATMENT 

 $5,000.00      EXISTING HOME – paid at time of tap-in or put on the property tax and paid over 10-20 years with same interest LORCO is charged.

 $6,000.00      NEW HOME – paid at time of tap-in.  Developers also pay entire cost of infrastructure within the subdivision area.

      $42.00       BASE MONTHLY USER FEE INCLUSIVE OF FIRST TWO THOUSAND GALLONS PER MONTH  – composed of three factors.  1) cost of treatment 2) operations & maintenance and 3) the amount of debt service to the financing.  Each one thousand gallons additional usage is $5.00.  The average household bill is estimated to be $57.00 per month based on 5,000 gallons usage.

 $1,100.00      ESTIMATED AVERAGE COST OF HOUSEHOLD SERVICE LINE.  Based on 100 feet to connect the residence and fill in the septic tank to meet OEPA regulations.  Property owner can contract for or install own service line.  Either way an Ohio State licensed contractor will have to sign the inspection document.

                         GRINDER PUMP REQUIREMENTS.  Property owner will be

responsible only to the grinder pump for a service line.  LORCO will own and maintain the grinder pumps.  An average of $2.50 per month is the property owner’s cost for electricity to intermittently power the grinder pump.

A RATE STUDY WILL BE COMPLETED DURING 2009 TO DETERMINE THE TRUE COSTS OF THE CARLISLE-EATON WASTEWATER PROJECT.

THE LORCO BOARD HAS RESOLVED TO REVIEW ALL RATES ANNUALLY

AND CONSIDER ADJUSTMENTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH DEBT REQUIREMENTS.

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BENEFITS OF CENTRAL COLLECTION SEWERS AND TREATMENT

 ALEVIATE OLD SEPTIC SYTEM PROBLEMS AND NON-COMPLIANCE DISCHARGE ISSUES

 VERY COSTLY TO REPLACE CURRENT ON-SITE SYSTEMS

(ESTIMATES ARE $12,000 TO $15,000)

ELIMINATE DISCHARGE TO NEIGHBORS LAND

ELIMINATE DISCHARGE TO OPEN DITCHES

TAKES WASTEWATER OUT OF STORM WATER RUNOFF

OVERALL POSITIVE EFFECT ON THE BLACK RIVER BASIN

SECURES THE ECOLOGICAL VALUE OF AREA FOR THE FUTURE OF ALL RESIDENTS, WHICH IS VERY IMPORTANT TO FUTURE GENERATIONS

CREATES BETTER CONTROL AND ALLOWS FOR GREEN SPACE DEVELOPMENT WITH PROPER ZONING

 INCREASES VALUE OF PROPERTY

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MOST ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What is the legal basis upon which LORCO has the authority

to operate?  

Beyond the statutory authority granted in Chapter 6119 of the Ohio Revised Code, LORCO has entered into a written agreement with Lorain County Commissioners, allowing both entities to coordinate wastewater service in the unincorporated areas of Lorain County. This agreement was also approved by NOACA. In addition, the 208 Water Quality Management Plan Update for Northeast Ohio includes LORCO as a Designated Management Agency.

  2.      Is the sewer something that I can vote on?  

Not-for-profit utilities are governed by a board of trustees appointed by the member townships and villages.  You have a voice through your elected officials.  Exercise that option and talk with your Township Trustees or Village Council.  The ecological benefits of LORCO’s Phase-I and future operations will be realized by all of Lorain County residents with the reduction of the current pollution problem in the streams and rivers from existing failed septic systems.  Without a wastewater collection system this problem will continue to worsen. 

3.   Who represents me on the LORCO Board? 

The person appointed by your Township Trustees or Village Council.  The list is in your brochure.  They serve with no compensation or benefits.  This is “GRASSROOTS GOVERNMENT” working for your best interest.

4.      Where are sewer lines going to be built?  

Phase-I is dedicated to Eastern Carlisle Township and the northern two-thirds of Eaton Township with an extension into LaGrange Twp on Indian Hollow Rd.  This design maximizes the terrain and topography along with the number of homes that economically support the cost. 

5. Are the lines going to be built on every country road?  Absolutely not.

The LORCO Board of Trustees understands first and foremost that economics are a prime consideration for building any facilities.  Sewer lines will be built where it makes economic sense.

6. How will the project be assessed?    

From the beginning, the feasibility study was undertaken with the concept of a "per-lot" charge in the form of a “tap fee” not a "front footage" charge.  These tap fees, like street assessments in a municipality; can be paid up front or over 20 years through a property tax assessment. 

7. What is the anticipated cost to individual homeowners? 

Based on the current house count and in conjunction with anticipated additional development the cost is estimated at $5,000.00 to $6,000.00.  All existing homes will be assessed at a lower rate than the homes that are the result of new development.    

8. Do I have to hook up to the sewer if the line runs past my house?

The Ohio Administrative Code states that all homes located within 200-feet of a road right-of-way where a wastewater collection system becomes available must connect to that system.  Chapter 6119.06 (Z) of the Ohio Revised Code, which reads “Require the owner of any premises located within the district to connect his premises to a water resource project determined to be accessible to such premises and found to require such connection so as to prevent or abate pollution or protect the health and property of persons in the district.” LORCO note: An Equalization Board will be formed in accordance with the ORC to allow newer septic systems to be phased in.  This is in conjunction with the efforts of the Lorain County General Health District, which has resolved not to require newer systems to connect that are less than 7-years old. 

9.   Who is going to be responsible for treatment of the wastewater from the Phase I system?  

The 40-year contract with Avon Lake for 1.2 MGD, Million Gallons Per Day, is a valid contract for Phase-I.  Avon Lake has the expertise; equipment and sufficient EPA approved capacity. This is the most cost effective source of treatment available in Lorain County. These low treatment costs are what makes the cost of installing the force main to Avon Lake justifiable. 

     10.  How will the line be built to the Avon Lake treatment plant?  

This issue has been researched thoroughly and existing utility and railroad rights-of-way can be utilized for the vast majority of the distance to the Avon Lake wastewater treatment facility.   The Avon Lake Municipal Utilities has provided for the financing and construction of the force main line.  Construction will take place within existing railroad and power line rights-of-way.

11.     How will the LORCO project be financed?  

The main source off financing for the Phase-I project will be the United States Department of Agriculture-Rural Development Loan Guarantee Program.  This program provides a federal guaranty of 90% to the $30,100,000.00 that will be loaned by FirstMerit Bank, N.A. of Akron, Ohio.  These agreements allow LORCO to obtain the lowest interest rate available.

12. What steps remain before construction of this project commences?

Detailed project engineering has been completed along with the wetlands delineation study.  We are currently obtaining rights-of-way easement  agreements before bids can be advertised and awarded.  These steps will soon be completed.  The multiple contracts for Phase-I are likely to be advertised and construction could begin before the end of 2008.  

13. Who is going to maintain the lines long term? 

The Townships and Villages formed LORCO to become their administrative, operations and maintenance entity for wastewater issues and systems.  This is the collective effort of the participating Townships and Villages.  LORCO will employ, or contract with, qualified persons for the operations, maintenance, accounting and billing, etc. 

14. Will Township land still be annexed after the sewers are in?  

The prime issue and reason for landowner petitions for annexation is the lack of utilities where the land is located.  With water, electricity and telephone readily available in all of the townships in Lorain County, wastewater treatment is the only utility municipalities can currently offer that townships do not have. In conjunction with revised Township Zoning regulations that take advantage of the development options a wastewater collection system can provide, the incentive for annexation can be eliminated and the Township’s tax base preserved. 

15.  Will this sewer affect development? 

Yes it will, but realize that the control is now with the Township officials and not the neighboring municipality.  Zoning plays a big part with development.  Therefore, zoning must be addressed carefully.

16. Will homes be built on smaller lots? 

Lot size must conform to zoning. However, with the smaller lot concept in a multi home development more green space can be preserved and not increase the number of homes per acre.  The open space style of development and zoning regulations bear careful  consideration. 

 LORCO was created as the entity to plan for and administer the wastewater issues of 13 Townships and 3 small Villages.  The Ohio Legislature in 1971 allowed for these kinds of organizations, under the Ohio Revised Code, to do the job that no one else would do. 6119 organizations such as LORCO operate on a not-for-profit basis throughout the State of Ohio.  This type of utility organization supports and protects the rural way of life.

In addition to addressing a major component of the pollution problem in our waterways, with LORCO the destiny of the participating Townships is in their own hands.  Remember, literally all of the annexations applied for are because of the inability of the Townships to provide utilities.  Water, electric, and telephone are all provided.  Sewer collection and treatment is the last utility that the municipalities in Lorain County control.  Put the control in your own hands. 

For up-to-date information, visit us at www.lorco.org.

Updated 08/31/2008

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