Lower Mill Creek Watershed
The Lower Mill Creek Watershed covers approximately 40,000 acres (62.5 square miles) in the heart of Hamilton County. (Click image for larger view.)
The Lower Mill Creek watershed, which drains into the Mill Creek, contributes more than half of the billions of gallons of sewage and stormwater that overflow annually from combined sewers across Hamilton County.
Under Project Groundwork, MSD is required to eliminate 1.78 billion gallons of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) by 2018 (during Phase 1 of MSD's Project Groundwork).
Map of Lower Mill Creek Watershed
The Lower Mill Creek watershed includes numerous smaller watersheds that drain to the Mill Creek. (Click image for larger view.)
Lower Mill Creek Partial Remedy
On December 20, 2012, MSD, on behalf of Hamilton County and the City of Cincinnati, submitted the proposed solution for eliminating 1.78 billion gallons of CSOs into the Mill Creek to the US EPA, Ohio EPA and the Ohio River Valley Water Sanitation Commission (ORSANCO), the Regulators governing MSD's Consent Decree.
The proposed solution – a sustainable approach that seeks to control CSOs by primarily focusing on reducing the amount of stormwater entering combined sewers during heavy rains - is detailed in the Lower Mill Creek Partial Remedy Study Report, December 2012. Additional solutions will be proposed for Phase 2 (after 2018).
The sustainable solution includes a suite of projects in the following sub-watersheds of the Lower Mill Creek watershed:
For more information, visit the individual websites for each watershed.
The Regulators are anticipated to make a decision on the proposed solution by Spring 2013.
Mill Creek photo (left side of page) courtesy Bruce Koehler, OKI.
What's New?
NEW: U.S. EPA Decision on Lower Mill Creek Solution Likely in Spring 2013
The U.S. EPA will likely make a decision by Spring 2013 on MSD's proposed plan to reduce combined sewer overflows (CSOs) into the Mill Creek. In the interim, the U.S. EPA is preparing a response to the significant volume of comments received during its public comment period. Read more...
MSD submitted the plan — known as the Revised Original Lower Mill Creek Partial Remedy — to the U.S. EPA and other Regulators in December 2012. This plan includes a mix of green and gray projects that will reduce the amount of stormwater entering combined sewers during heavy rains.
The projects — in the Bloody Run, Kings Run, Lick Run and West Fork watersheds within Lower Mill Creek — will cost effectively achieve a 1.78 billion gallon annual reduction of combined sewer overflows (CSOs) into the Mill Creek by 2018 (during Phase 1 of Project Groundwork).
This sustainable plan was submitted as an alternative to the Original Lower Mill Creek Partial Remedy, which included a deep, underground storage tunnel. Both Hamilton County and the City of Cincinnati support the sustainable plan and approved submission of the Revised Original LMCPR to the Regulators.
U.S. EPA Hosts Comment Period on Lower Mill Creek Solution
The U.S. EPA is seeking public comments on MSD's proposed plan to reduce sewer overflows into the Mill Creek. MSD, on behalf of Hamilton County and the City of Cincinnati, submitted the proposal—known as the Revised Original Lower Mill Creek Partial Remedy—to federal, state and local environmental regulators in December 2012. U.S. EPA invites public comments on the plan.
A 30-day comment period will open January 10th and run through February 10, 2013.
Please visit the U.S. EPA website for more information on the proposal and how to submit comments.
Proposed Solution for Lower Mill Creek Submitted to Regulators
On December 20, 2012 -
after nearly three years of technical evaluation and stakeholder involvement to develop an integrated watershed-
based solution to wastewater, combined sewer overflow (CSO) and stormwater issues -
MSD submitted its Lower Mill Creek Partial Remedy (LMCPR) Study Report to the USEPA and other Regulators1 governing MSD's Consent Decree. USEPA is holding a public comment period on the LMCPR in January 2013. Read More...
MSD Recommendation for Lower Mill Creek Solution
On September 26, 2012, MSD recommended a sustainable/hybrid solution - known as the Lower Mill Creek Partial Remedy (LMCPR) - for substantially reducing combined sewer overflows (CSOs) into the Mill Creek by 2018 to the Hamilton County Board of County Commissioners and City Council. The Commissioners sponsored four public hearings and a public comment period on the LCMPR to gain public feedback. The comment period concluded on October 26. To learn more, please download the documents below:
Responses to questions asked verbally or in writing during the MSD-sponsored community "town halls" on the LMCPR on August 16 and 23, 2012.
Compilation of verbal public comments, written public comments, and exit surveys received during MSD's public comment period on the LMCPR (June 26 - September 4, 2012).
List of extensive evaluation and analysis used to evaluate potential "grey" and "sustainable/hybrid" solutions to substantially reduce combined sewer overflows (CSOs) into the Mill Creek by 2018.
Get the facts on the Lower Mill Creek Partial Remedy (LMCPR). Learn about project costs, compliance with the Clean Water Act and more in the LMCPR FAQs.
This report is an evaluation of the health of the Mill Creek as measured by water quality and aquatic habitat.
Community Involvement
Compilation of verbal and written public comments received during Hamilton County's public comment period on the LMCPR (Sept 26 -
Oct 26, 2012).
U.S. EPA Involvement
NEW: Partnership for Sustainable Communities: Accomplishments Report (June 2012)
Memo from U.S. EPA, 4-20-11
Contact Us
If you have questions or comments about the Lower Mill Creek Watershed, please contact the MSD Engineering Customer Service Line at (513) 557-3594 or send an email to MSD.Communications@cincinnati-oh.gov.
