Lakewood sewers: In photos

The “Five Mile Crib” in Lake Erie, our source of drinking water. Photo provided by Cleveland State University’s Special Collections Department.

Building sewers on Clifton Boulevard, 1920’s. Photo provided by Cleveland State University’s Special Collections Department.

Belle Avenue during spring flooding in 1913.

The current Lakewood Waste Water Treatment Plant (WWTP), located at 1699 Metropark Drive, began operating in 1965. It replaced the original plant, which opened in 1903. This turn-of-the-century photo shows early construction of the original plant. Photo provided by Cleveland State University’s Special Collections Department.

Excess water that flows into sewer pipes from groundwater and stormwater is called infiltration and inflow, or I/I. Most I/I is caused by aging infrastructure that needs maintenance or replacement. During a rain event, I&I take up valuable sewer capacity and as a result, the sanitary sewer system may become overloaded and cause overflows or basement flooding.