Abstract: “Defining a Private Property I/I Removal Program-How the City of Berea Used a Facilitation Committee to Develop their Plan”

The City of Berea has experienced water-in-basement (WIB) problems for many years. In July of 2011, a significant storm event caused severe flooding in many areas of the City. As a result, the City hired URS Corporation of Cleveland to assist with identifying inflow and infiltration (I/I) sources on both public and private property in one study area. The Fair Street was where the City received the most calls about WIB. As a result of the study, URS found nearly 80% of the houses tested failed, or were identified to contribute I/I from private property. URS recommended to the City that a private property I/I removal program be instituted to remove this extraneous water from the system by developing a facilitated resident's committee to develop the program.