Umicore free of sewer fees

The recycling plant utilizes a large amount of water in its numerous processing operations.

Umicore Specialty Materials Recycling facility located in Wickliffe won’t be flushing as much money down the drain any longer thanks to a settlement reached with the cities of Euclid and Wickliffe.

The recycling plant utilizes a large amount of water in its numerous processing operations. Before this water finds its way back to a community’s water systems it requires a significant amount of treatment before it no longer poses health concerns.

For most residential properties and many businesses, wastewater is typically sent through sanitary sewer systems for processing. For this there are sewer processing charges that are included into a customer’s water utility bill.

However, due to the size of Umicore’s Lakeland Boulevard facility and the nature of its operations, the wastewater incurred through their daily operations are cleaned and processed on site. This processed water is then deposited directly into the city’s storm sewers after EPAregulated quality inspection, effectively circumventing the need and use of a sanitary sewer system.

Due to these circumstances, Umicore applied for a storm sewer exemption status with the city of Wickliffe on Oct. 12. After Wickliffe City Engineer Peter Formica verified Umicore’s claim, City Council recently voted to allow Umicore the exemption.

In an interview, Formica emphasized that Umicore will still be charged regular water usage rates. They will also be charged for sanitary sewer utility fees for any wastewater that is not part of the plant’s on-site treatment process, such as toilets, showers, and sinks.

Due to Umicore’s location and sewer infrastructure, sanitary sewer usage fees were paid to both Wickliffe and the city of Euclid. The two cities have since both agreed to exempt Umicore from the sanitary sewer utility charges.

As part of a Mutual Release and Settlement Agreement Euclid will also be offering Umicore a refund for past sanitary sewer utility fees charged to the company.