Lima Mayor David Berger met with U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown in Washington this week to discuss ways to help communities, like Lima, afford costly renovations to outdated sewer systems known as “combined sewage overflows,” or CSOs. More than 80 Ohio communities are struggling to afford costly but necessary renovations to sewer systems, prompting Sen. Brown to introduce legislation that would provide relief from high water rates to Ohio communities. The Clean Water Affordability Act would help communities make renovations to outdated sewer systems, while improving water quality and keeping rates affordable for residents and small business.
“Water and sewer infrastructure is critical to economic competitiveness, especially for communities like Lima,” Sen. Brown said. “Mayor Berger has been a leading voice in Ohio on the difficulties faced by towns and cities of all sizes in affording often costly, though necessary, upgrades to sewer systems. The Clean Water Affordability Act would help local governments, like Lima’s, make these renovations while investing in Ohio’s long-term economic development.”