Most Frequently Asked Questions

$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.

A RATE STUDY IS CURRENTLY BEING REVIEWED BY THE LORCO POLICY COMMITTEE. ONCE THE STUDY IS COMPLETE A RECOMMENDATION WILL BE MADE TO THE FINANCE COMMITTEE AND THEN TO THE ENTIRE BOARD FOR APPROVAL.

THE LORCO BOARD HAS RESOLVED TO REVIEW ALL POLICIES ON AN AS NEEDED BASIS, CLUDING RATE POLICIES. ADJUSTMENTS WILL BE MADE TO MAINTAIN AN EQUITIBLE RELATIONSHIP WITH OUR CUSTOMERS.

GRINDER PUMP REQUIREMENTS. Property owner will be responsible for installing the sewer discharge from the home to the grinder pump and for providing 220 volt electrical service to the grinder pump. 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.

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. They serve with no compensation or benefits. The trustees are listed on our website.

4. Where are sewer lines going to be built? A map of Phase-I is shown on the LORCO website.

5. How will the project be assessed? The fees have been calculated based upon the specific use of the property and not on the front footage or land area.

6. What is the anticipated cost to individual homeowners? Existing homes will pay a $5,000 one time tap-in fee. New homes will pay the new construction rate currently $6,000.

7. Do I have to hook up to the sewer if the line runs past my house? Ohio Administrative Code requires 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,

8. How will the LORCO project be financed? The project is being financed through the Ohio Waterworks Development Authority with a low interest loan. In addition, a $5,000,000 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) grant has been received.

9. 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 one utility which 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 significantly reduced and the Township’s tax base preserved.