By Genevieve Mills–
The Louisville Metro Sewage Department has been trying to reduce sewer overflows since 2009. With the Integrated Overflow Abatement Plan, a plan that will last for 20 years, MSD created a number of projects to reduce flooding, many of these with U of L. MSD collaborates with different companies on a number of “green” and “gray” projects. Green projects involve vegetated roofs, rain gardens, and porous pavement, and gray projects involve water storage, treatment and sewage separation. These projects seek to deflect storm water and put it into the ground as opposed to the sewer system. MSD seeks out agencies to partner with them along with companies coming to them.
Churchill Downs was one of these companies, and asked for information about renovating their parking lot to help control flooding. However, as of Sep. 24th, Churchill Downs will not be partnering with MSD. While “The Courier Journal” reported that “Churchill Downs has rejected $3 million from the Metropolitan Sewer District,” Churchill also would’ve had to put in their own money for the project, as the project would’ve been collaborative. The company also currently has several other construction projects going on.
This is just one program of MSD’s that won’t be going forward, but they have many others. Community Affairs and Press Contact of MSD, Steve Tedder, said MSD has been very innovative in their efforts and are “national leaders in what are called green projects.” As for the effect of Churchill Downs rejecting one of their projects, he said, “We’re doing a huge amount of projects with U of L a block away.”
For more information on the subject go to msdlouky.org or to louisvillecardinal.com to read prior articles.
