EPA settles Clean Water Act violations issue with Harrisburg city in Pennsylvanian, US

US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has signed a partial settlement agreement with Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP), City of Harrisburg and Capital Region Water to resolve the alleged violations of the Clean Water Act.

Harrisburg, a city in Pennsylvania, US, faces issues with its combined sewer system. During rain and dry weather, the sewer system frequently discharges raw sewage, industrial waste and polluted stormwater into Paxton Creek and the Susquehanna River, which are part of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed.

US Department of Justice had filed a complaint in the federal court in Harrisburg to address the issues, on behalf of EPA and PADEP.

The EPA approved settlement, does not impose civil penalties against the city keeping in view its present financial conditions.

According to the agreement, Capital Region Water, the operator for drinking water, wastewater, and stormwater systems in the Pennsylvanian city, is expected to improve the operation and maintenance of the collection systems.

Upgrades will include constructions at the city’s wastewater treatment plant, so as to reduce its nitrogen discharges polluting the Susquehanna River.

Further works will involve evaluation of the city’s existing combined sewer system and formulation of a long term control plan to prevent the overflows.

The plan will need EPA approval, following which the settlement agreement will either be modified or replaced by a new one.

The proposed upgrades, to be done within a five year time which is expected to cost Harrisburg $82m.

EPA regional administrator Shawn M. Garvin said: "This settlement reflects EPA’s commitment to an integrated approach for tackling multiple sewer and stormwater overflow problems, and helping Pennsylvania meet the nitrogen and phosphorus reduction goals for improving its local waters and restoring a healthy Chesapeake Bay.

"This phased approach for controlling combined sewer overflows over time includes some early action projects to reduce pollution now, while conducting further assessment and planning for long term solutions."