1. Lyman Welch Water Quality Program Director lwelch@greatlakes.org

2. C ombined S ewer O verflow Sewage and storm runoff flow together in a single pipe to the treatment plant Increased volume from heavy rains causes overflows, CSOs Raw sewage, trash, toxic industrial waste and other pollutants are discharged to the Great Lakes and its tributaries without treatment. Built at the end of 19 th century, and common around the Great Lakes

3. How big is the problem? Sewage spills and overflows caused 64 closing/advisory days at Great Lakes beaches in 2010 18.7 billion gallons of combined sewage and storm runoff were released into the Great Lakes in 2011 from these nine cities

4. The CWSRF provides low-interest loans and flexible financing options to help local governments carry out costly wastewater capital improvement projects, including innovative green infrastructure. For every $1 budgeted by the federal government, states contribute 20 cents Loan repayments are recycled back into the fund to finance new projects

5. CSO Policy & CWSRF Success Story Grand Rapids Waste Water Treatment Plant Grand Rapids, Michigan BEFORE In the 1980’s, 6 to 12 billion gallons of combined sewage and storm runoff was discharged to the Grand River each year The PLAN Separate all sewers and eliminate outfalls. $68 million CWSRF loan to help pay for plan AFTER CSO discharges to the Grand River reduced to 49 million gallons in 2011 – 99% decrease

6. Despite successes, CWSRF appropriations are declining

7. Communities in the Great Lakes need funding to reduce CSOs These municipalities are some of many that need funding to carry out their plans to reduce CSOs Detroit, MI Milwaukee, WI Chicago, IL Hammond, IN Buffalo, NY Toledo, OH Cleveland, OH

8. Take Action! Read the Alliance’s Report http://www.greatlakes.org/csoreport Sign the Alliance’s petition for sustained and increased funding of the CWSRF https://secure3.convio.net/agl/site/Advocacy?cmd=display& page=UserAction&id=209 If you have a smartphone, you can sign our petition by scanning the QR code below