Franklin County Achieves Final Goal in Bringing Clean Water and Safe Sewage Treatment System to Timb

Bringing to end a nearly decade long environmental predicament in the southwest corner of Franklin County, County Commissioners are ordering the shutdown of a failing privately-owned water and sewer treatment facility serving the Timberlake Subdivision in Pleasant Township.

“For nearly 200 homes, it will mean more reliable and cleaner drinking water. For the nearby Big Darby watershed, it will mean an end to pollution concerns discharging from the antiquated sewer system,” said Board of Commissioners President Paula Brooks. “We remain committed to protecting our waterways, especially the Darby and its tributaries.”

On Wednesday morning, crews with the Franklin County Department of Sanitary Engineering will make the final connections needed to divert sewage flow to the County’s new Darbydale Treatment Station.

This is a final step in a process that began in 2003 to address the need to protect water quality in the area, which includes 194 homes. The sewer system formerly managed by Cordell Regional Utilities has been the target of concern from local officials as well as the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, the Public Utilities Commission of Ohio, and the U.S. Congress.

Timberlake is located in the environmentally sensitive Hellbranch watershed, which feeds into the Big Darby. The deteriorating state of the sewer and water plant has been identified as a significant environmental threat to the Darby.

In May 2011, the County opened the Timberlake Water Treatment Plant, providing clean water to residents of Timberlake.

Yesterday, Franklin County Commissioners approved the final purchase of the Cordell property and failing system, allowing the County to close the facility and divert sewage flow to the Darbydale station.

“This is another step in addressing the pockets of pollution in our county,” said Commissioner Marilyn Brown. “The more homes we can bring onto our system or those systems operated by our municipal partners, the better it will be for public health, water quality, and our region’s environmental sustainability.”

“After opening the water plant last year, we’re now able to redirect sewage to an effective system at Darbydale,” said Commissioner John O’Grady. “This important investment will protect the water quality of Hellbranch Run in the Darby watershed, and public health for those living in the Timberlake Subdivision in Pleasant Township.”