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Sage Against The Machine.
Libertarian Humanist.

Akron Sewer System Isn't A Problem. It's a HUGE Opportunity

June 15, 2015

philadelphia

If there is one thing people seem to be afraid of it's: How is an outsider with no political experience going to be able to handle the multi-billion dollar sewer system problem?

The more I think about it, the more I think I might be able to handle it better than career politicians.

Everything in my life is about innovation and using the modern technologies to solve problems. I am a tech entrepreneur.

 In case you think I don't understand the complexity of this issue let me spell out the problem. 

  • Akron, like over 770 communities in the US, have a combined sewer system that catches both sewage and storm water. All of this goes to a waste water treatment plant.
  • Washington DC has this problem. They did a great video outlining what the problem is. You can get an idea of what all us 770+ communities are dealing with in this video: 

  • Here's a picture from Wikipedia that the EPA has made to visualize the problem:
    CSO_diagram_US_EPA
  • Cleveland has this problem. They have 25 years to reduce CSO volumes by 90% gallons per year. That will cost about $3 billion.
  • While there are many ways to deal with this problem, a common way of dealing with this is by digging huge holes. We are starting this process. There is a contest going on right now at the Akron Waterways Renewed website to name our Tunnel Boring Machine. You totally should go check it out.
  • Washington DC is also building tunnels. But they will be separating the sewers in certain areas as well.
  • But of the plans I've seen, nothing excites me more than what Philadelphia is doing. They are bringing some really innovative approaches to their sewer issues. I strongly encourage you to check out their video:

In a nutshell, Philadelphia is trying to slow down the water during storms using innovative green initiatives. I love this idea!

If you think this is pie-in-the-sky dreaming you should know that the EPA is funding research on this topic. You can learn more here: Performance and Effectiveness of Green Infrastructure Stormwater Management Approaches in the Urban Context: A Philadelphia Case Study | Funding Opportunities | Extramural Research | Research | US EPA

You can learn more about Philadelphia's plans here: Green City, Clean Waters | Philadelphia Water Department

I think we need to be open to all the possible ideas. 

Here's the thing about career politicians: They will tell you 5 reasons why something isn't possible. They are slow moving, conservative people. We need innovation and new ideas. That's what I bring to this race.

Innovative solutions to this problem could make Akron one of the coolest, most desirable cities to live in anywhere in the U.S.A. 

We have an option here: We can just dig big old holes in the ground like everybody else. Or we can use this time in our history to help make Akron innovative and leading the country in thought and action.

We can use this "problem" to help make us great.

Paid For By The People for Sage Lewis

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