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Home , Sanitary engineering

Pipelines SPRING 2020

Director’s Note: “ Not, Want Not” The Mission of AS GCSED rolls out a new Solid plan, we ask that each resident becomes “aware” of their own waste generation and practices. the Laboratory

The Sanitary Laboratory Waste not, want not: if you use a subscription (community-wide service). meets the analytical needs of the commodity or resource carefully and This revenue funds the management of and Water Treatment Divisions. without extravagance, you’ll never be in the solid waste management district and We provide chemical and bacterial testing need. In today’s fast-paced, throwaway all the services offered through GCSED’s for the two divisions. culture, this concept feels almost foreign. Environmental Services Division such as But should it? Just because trash isn’t yard waste, recycling, and special waste According to the Lab Manager, Lori Kyle, the billowing into our local streets doesn’t drop-offs. More info on their offerings Lab performs analysis and supplies data to mean we don’t have a crisis on our hands. can be found at https://www.co.greene. ensure they’re meeting their permit limits. capacity continues to dwindle as our oh.us/199/Environmental-Services or by Some of the results are reported to the addiction to single-use plastics and other calling 937-562-5925. Ohio EPA, while others are used in-house disposables climbs to record levels. Solid for operations. waste management is everyone’s business What is normal household waste comprised and ensuring effective and sustainable of? Generally, household waste consists of The Lab Staff, consisting of five full-time practices is vital for our society to thrive. 1/3 landfillable, 1/3 compostable, and 1/3 employees, communicates findings with recyclable products. other Divisions. We have three active Labs: Did you know that GCSED is responsible for general chemistry, bacteriological, and an Greene County’s solid waste management What can you do at the individual level to operational Lab. Our Lab Technicians must program? The Ohio EPA requires all solid ensure that future generations will have a be certified by the State of Ohio in order to waste management districts update a plan safe and healthy environment? analyze samples. for proper waste management practices • Start to be more “aware” of your waste every 5 years. GCSED recently submitted its Tests vary from simple to complex. One generation footprint and where it goes! latest update of this plan to the Ohio EPA major test we run is for phosphorus, Reduce, reuse, recycle. for review. This function is guided by a policy as required by the OEPA as a means of committee (PC) of various stakeholders • Buy what you actually need, not what you protecting our streams and rivers. The Lab from the local community and participating think you need. It is estimated that 40% of also tests for nitrogen in various forms jurisdictions. The PC leads the direction of America’s produced food is wasted. (ammonia, nitrates, nitrites). We are certified the district, implements effective policies • Use curb or drop-off recycling programs. for bacteriological tests for total coliform bacteria and e-Coli in . and procedures, and oversees the district’s • Take reusable bags when shopping. finances. Although Greene County neither • Minimize single-use plastics (including A variety of equipment is necessary to hauls waste nor houses a solid waste bottled water). perform the tests, ranging from a simple pH landfill, it’s still responsible to meet the • Look for opportunities to . meter to a UV visible spectrophotometer program requirements of the state. In 2018, to measure phosphorus; ion meters to 157,608 tons of solid waste was generated • Donate unwanted clothing, slightly used measure fluoride, ammonia and pH; as well in Greene County. furniture, and other household items to as an incubator to cultivate bacteria, to local non-profit organizations. name a few. How is the program funded and what does • Call GCSED Environmental Services it get the residents of Greene County? for a tour, to ask questions, or to find The Lab also analyzes samples for private Residents pay a $10 per ton generation recycling options! and public well owners. These tests include fee to fund the solid waste management Total Coliform Bacteria, e-Coli, and Nitrates. district. This fee is built into individual solid — Jason Tincu, Director waste fee structures, whether they are We love keeping Greene County healthy and subscription (individual service) or non- safe. If you’d like to find out more, call us to schedule a group tour at 937-562-7450. Save on Summer Irrigation More Convenient and Recreation Water Usage! Payment Options We launched a new online billing and uring summer months, using more Should I Have a Special Meter? payment solution, offering these features: D water for irrigation and outdoor Because of the meters’ monthly fees and recreation can lead to higher sewer charges. rental charges, the answer depends on how • Easy-to-use Online Portal – registration Water used for these purposes that is NOT much water you use for outdoor purposes. is NOT required measured separately by a special meter If you don’t use much water outside, the • Go Paperless – view bills via email is charged at the standard water and sewer meter costs will be higher than the potential • Payment Options – Recurring Scheduled rates (typically an added cost of $12.09 for water and sewer savings. Payments each additional 1,000 gallons). However, • Email Reminders – when your bill is water used for outdoor purposes and General guidelines to consider: ready, a scheduled payment is pending, measured with a special meter is charged at • Customers using a garden hose to spot- and a confirmation of payment the irrigation service rate of $5.62 per 1,000 water the grass or flowers occasionally gallons. This will reduce your sewer charges • Pay by Phone – check your account typically don’t need a special meter. because irrigation water is not discharged to balance or make a payment the system for treatment at • Running a built-in lawn sprinkling system • Pay by Text – get notifications and our plants. regularly (2-3 times a week) can use make payments thousands of gallons of water a month for Paying through your checking or savings accounts has a What Meter Options are Available? irrigation. If you use more than 17,000 $0.90 sevice fee. Visa, MasterCard, or Discover Card has a gallons in a season, you will pay less 1. Irrigation system meter – Customers service fee of $2.25, with a maximum transaction amount with a special meter than you would of $500. Go to https://www3.invoicecloud.com/xeniaoh are charged a one-time connection fee, under the current standard combined to register your account. $8.33 per month, and are required to water and sewer rate. obtain annual backflow certification from a qualified plumber. • You should use a special meter when you fill in-ground swimming pools. 2. Deduct meter - Customers are charged a one-time connection fee, $8.33 per Customers with special meters are Ways to pay your bill month, and are required to obtain responsible for any costs associated with Online: co.greene.oh.us/sanitary annual backflow certification from a meter loss or damage due to neglect. By Phone: 855-925-1665 qualified plumber. Arrangements for the installation or rental 3. Hose-bib meters - Detachable hose-bib of a special meter should be made through By Mail: meters are also available for one-time our office. Greene County Sanitary Engineering Department or short-term use, such as filling a pool P.O. Box 340 or watering new sod. These meters are Call GCSED office at 937-562-7450 to find Xenia, OH 45385-0340 provided by the county for a rental fee of out more about irrigation meters. $20 for four business days, $50 for half Remember to update your GCSED online banking vendor address. Some banks season (July 15 – Oct 15), or $100 per send your payment via USPS rather than season (April 15 through October 15). ACH transaction.

Special Waste Drop-off Events Greene County Sanitary Engineering he following Household Hazardous Tuesdays: Administration Building Waste is accepted: paint, stain, anti- March 17, April 21, May 19, June 23 T 937-562-7450 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm freeze, fuels (up to 5 gal.), vehicle mainte- Monday-Friday, 7:30 am to 4:30 pm nance fluids, lawn and garden products. Saturdays: 667 Dayton-Xenia Road Large household appliances (with or with- April 4, May 9, June 13 Xenia, OH 45385 out Freon), metal, and fluorescent 9 am – noon After-Hours Emergencies tube lamps are also accepted. Greene County 937-562-7450 Items not accepted: motor oil, televisions, Environmental Services Billing/Bill Payments or materials generated from businesses. 2145 Greene Way Boulevard 937-562-7457 Visit www.co.greene.oh.us/recycle or Xenia, Ohio 45385 call 937-562-5925 for more information. co.greene.oh.us