Combined Sewer System

Combined Sewer Overflows

The oldest sewer lines in the City of Henderson were constructed between 1880 and 1960.  Most of these sewer lines were built as a combined sewer system.  These combined sewers were designed to collect both sanitary sewage and stormwater runoff in the same pipe.  During periods of heavy rainfall, the capacity of the combined sewer system is often exceeded due to large amounts of stormwater runoff that enters the combined sewers.  There are several combined sewer overflows (CSOs) in the sewer system that discharge this mixture of wastewater and stormwater into receiving waters of the City during heavy rainfall events.  Specifically, these outfalls are located along the Ohio River and the downstream area of Canoe Creek.

Henderson Water Utility (HWU) has completed many sewer separation projects over the past decade to eliminate areas of the combined sewer system.  Additional projects are planned to continue eliminating areas of the combined sewer system and CSOs.  HWU has posted CSO warning signs at all locations where overflows occur during these periods of heavy rainfall.  The receiving streams can become polluted during and after rain events due to high bacteria levels found in combined sewage.  Residents should be aware of this potential health hazard in the Ohio River and Canoe Creek during and after periods of heavy rainfall.

For more information on CSOs and their effect on the water quality of the Ohio River and Canoe Creek, please call HWU at (270) 826-2824.