MSD invests between $50 million to $90 million (USD) into new infrastructure annually. To reduce the impact of that construction, MSD challenges its staff, consultants and contractors to incorporate pollution prevention and environmental protection into all phases of these projects. Sewer alignments are moved away from streams, larger trees and other worthy natural features when possible. Since undisturbed land does not require restoration, MSD continues to upgrade requirements for erosion-prevention and silt-control best management practices (BMPs) on all capital projects.

MSD began water-quality monitoring of local streams, including biological inventories, in 1987 to monitor progress toward its goal of improving ambient stream conditions — by eliminating septic tanks and almost 400 small, temporary wastewater treatment plants. MSD works to reduce infiltration and inflow that cause diluted wastewater by-passes to streams and the Ohio River. Wastewater disinfection systems are being converted from chlorine to ultraviolet light, where appropriate.

Through the International Council of Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI) Urban CO₂ Reduction Project, MSD is reducing its use of transportation energy and greenhouse emissions, via efficient fleet operation, alternative vehicle fuels, an Employee Commute Options program and support for bicycling.

Frequently Asked Questions
	How does wastewater treatment work?
	What is a watershed?
	What is a combined sewer system?
	What is a greenway?
	Why is erosion prevention and sediment control so important?
	What is pretreatment?
	What is pollution prevention?

 

Related Topics:

EPA Pollution Prevention Program

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