The Muddy Creek Interceptor is a large diameter sewer that helps convey wastewater from homes and businesses on Cincinnati's west side to MSD's Muddy Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant in Sayler Park.
Built in the 1920s and 1930s, the sewer is about 5.5 miles long and runs from Werk & Westbourne roads in Green Township to the Muddy Creek pump station in Sayler Park.
Most of the sewer was replaced in the 1970s-1990s, with the exception of a ~2.5-mile section known as the Upper Muddy Creek Interceptor or UMCI.
The UMCI is nearly 100 years old and is severely deteriorated. Sewage from the pipe leaks into the Muddy Creek during dry weather days, and significant overflows of sewage occur during rainstorms.
On June 4, 2020, the Hamilton County Commissioners approved $9.9 million in construction funding for MSD’s long-delayed Upper Muddy Creek Interceptor (UMCI Replacement Phase B) project in Green Township.
Here is the current status update:
This schedule is subject to change and will be updated periodically.
The UMCI is the ~2.5-mile long upper section of the Muddy Creek Interceptor and is marked in blue on the map below. The UMCI is 90+ years old, constructed of vitrified clay, and is located in and along the Muddy Creek channel. The UMCI is currently in very poor condition with broken sections leaking sewage into Muddy Creek during dry weather days, creek water entering the pipe and taking up capacity, and significant volumes of sewage overflowing into the creek during rain events.
The project area, bounded by the red box in the map below, is a ~1.5-mile section along Muddy Creek Drive from Devils Backbone Road to near Sidney Road.
Map of Project Area (click to enlarge): Photos showing the current condition of the UMCI (click to enlarge):MSD's solution, known as UMCI Phase B, is to replace a 1.5-mile section of the pipe. This project is mandated by MSD’s federal Consent Decree to reduce sewer overflows and is being completed under the "Bridge Plan." As this is a partial solution, the remaining mile of interceptor pipe - upstream of the current project area - will need to be replaced in the future.
Designed by a national engineering firm, the solution includes the following:
The benefits of the recommended solution include:
The UMCI has a long history.
In 1963, the Hamilton County Sanitary Engineer recommended replacing a portion of the sewer. In 2008, MSD identified this sewer segment as an "extreme high risk" for failure. In 2009, UMCI replacement was put on the list of required projects for the second phase of MSD's wet weather plan, set to begin after 2018. In 2013, due to its deteriorating condition, MSD asked for design funding to replace the sewer. The Hamilton County Commissioners approved the funding, and the design was completed in 2015. MSD requested construction funding in subsequent years, but it was not approved. In 2018, the project was advanced as part of MSD's "Bridge Plan" per the Consent Decree, with a completion deadline of December 31, 2019.
MSD requested construction funding in Novmeber 2018, but it was not approved due to concerns about new downstream overflows. Using a new model, MSD demonstrated no new overflows. The Commissioners approved construction funding on June 4, 2020.
UMCI Timeline (click to enlarge):
Report a Sewer Backup:
(513) 352-4900 24/7 or online
Customer Call Center:
(513) 352-4900 24/7
Project Customer Service:
(513) 557-3594
Development Services:
(513) 244-1330
Media Inquiries:
(513) 557-7095
Email:
MSD.Communications@cincinnati-oh.gov
MSD Mailing Address:
1600 Gest St.
Cincinnati, Ohio 45204
Press Releases
Legislation:
Business Case Evaluation and Design Documents: