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SD1 receives state, federal disaster relief for response to historic Ohio River rising earlier in year


Sanitation District No. 1 has received federal and state disaster relief funds for its effective response to historically high Ohio River levels earlier this year.

The District received today reimbursement from the Federal Emergency Management Association (FEMA) and the Kentucky Emergency Management Association (KEMA) for overtime labor, equipment usage and contracted labor totaling $104,971.61.
 
“We’re excited to receive this federal and state disaster funding because it allows us to better serve our customers and our region,” said SD1 Executive Director Adam Chaney. “This is the largest disaster relief reimbursement the District has ever received, and it is a testament to not only the outstanding work done in the field by our flood response team, but also the effectiveness and efficiency of our data tracking system.”

When Ohio River rose earlier this year, SD1’s flood response team worked ’round the clock to protect NKY’s river cities. (Photo provided)


 
Since 1995, SD1 has owned and operated 15 flood pump stations that were primarily built in the 1950s by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in Campbell and Kenton counties. 
 
The flood protection infrastructure was designed to activate different pump stations at predetermined Ohio River levels. During this year’s flooding, 14 of the 15 SD1 flood pump stations were activated.
 
Between February 13 and March 5, the Ohio River reached historically high levels, cresting at 60.5 feet and causing extensive damage along the river cities of Northern Kentucky. SD1’s flood protection infrastructure was designed to prevent the sewer systems of Covington, Dayton and Newport from becoming overwhelmed by elevated river levels, which would result in overflows and basement backups.
 
An SD1 flood response team of seven individuals was activated when the Ohio River reached 44 feet on February 13, and that team, working with up to 30 other staff members across SD1 departments, remained in continuous operation – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week – until March 7. Working in 8-hour shifts, and working with outside contractors when needed, the team was responsible for the operation and maintenance of the flood pump stations.
 
SD1 Pump Station Manager Matthew Van Doren coordinated the FEMA request, which has been a months-long process. He said the key to receiving federal reimbursement is documentation, and he credited SD1’s efficient work order process for allowing the District to gather everything it needed to request the federal aid so quickly.
 
“We track everything through our work order system from work time to equipment usage to the ordering of parts,” Van Doren said. “This is a great example of how the data we regularly collect through work orders can be used to improve operational efficiency and provide value to our customers.”
 
While this is the largest disaster relief aid in SD1 history, it is not the first time the District has received federal and state disaster relief. Dating back to 2005, the District has been reimbursed for costs associated with HAZMAT cleanup, underground tank removal and its response to Hurricane Ike and Hurricane Hugo, among other things.

SD1


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