Pollution in the waters around Cleveland once helped inspire the federal Clean Water Act. Even now, after heavy rainfalls, raw sewage often flows into Lake Erie and the rivers that feed it. But under an agreement with the federal government, the Northeast Ohio Regional District is working to minimize those overflows. The district’s "Project Clean Lake" calls for construction of seven tunnels that will serve as underground storage containers for excess wastewater until it can be treated and safely returned to the environment. ideastream producers Mary Fecteau and Jeff Haynes take you 200 feet underground to examine one of those massive tunnel-building projects. And then ideastream's Rick Jackson talks to Doug Lopata, program manager at the sewer district, about the initiative and how it will protect Lake Erie.
- Doug Lopata, program manager, Northeast Ohio Regional District