In early December, the City’s Planning and Development Department initiated a storm sewer investigation in the historic Uptown district and surrounding areas. The project is a critical part of the City’s ongoing effort to evaluate and maintain the older sewers within its collection system, ensuring proper function and enabling routine maintenance.

The evaluation process is thorough and involves a variety of engineering services. The City has partnered with Columbus-based engineering and planning firm EMH&T, Inc., to carry out the work, which requires accessing manholes and catch basins, often located in easements on private properties (backyards, side yards), as well as public streets and alleyways.

EMH&T will assist in performing engineering services for the project, which includes the following:

• Structure inspections

• Storm sewer televising

• Storm sewer cleaning

• Storm smoke testing 

• Dyed water testing

The City will place door hangers at properties before the contractor attempts to access any manholes on private property. EMH&T will practice caution to mitigate any impacts to private property. Interior access to home and businesses should not be required; but in the highly unusual event access would be helpful to this investigation, the City will coordinate with the property owner.

Throughout the project, EMH&T will access the storm sewer structures and sewer mains indicated in light blue on the following map: