EPA Reverses Course

I guess the power of my blog and the tens of people who read it has positivly effected the EPA's position on allowing contaminated sewage to be dumped in our rivers and streams. I'm so proud of me...

EPA Reverses on Partial Sewage Treatment
By JOHN HEILPRIN, Associated Press Writer
Thu May 19, 7:33 PM ET

WASHINGTON - The Environmental Protection Agency said Thursday it will not allow sewage treatment plants to skip a process for killing some disease-causing micro-organisms after heavy rains or snow melts. The decision reverses a plan proposed in November 2003.

Just hours after EPA's announcement, the House approved a measure to block the agency's 2003 proposal from taking effect. Reps. Bart Stupak, D-Mich., E. Clay Shaw, R-Fla., Frank Pallone, D-N.J., and Jeff Miller, R-Fla., had offered it before EPA's about-face.

If the EPA had adopted the policy, U.S. sewage plants might have avoided an estimated $90 billion or more in facility upgrades to allow for oxidation of pollutants in wastes after heavy rains. That lets microbes feed on organic materials, removing viruses and parasites.

The agency normally requires sewage to be treated using a three-step process. But during peak flows from storms, it routinely lets plants discharge a blend of fully and partially treated sewage. The agency had proposed letting that become the official policy for handling the huge volume of waste water that storms bring, but changed its mind after reviewing 98,000 public comments and the testimony at some congressional hearings.

"Blending is not a long-term solution," said Benjamin Grumbles, assistant administrator for the Office of Water. "Our goal is to reduce overflows and increase treatment of wastewater to protect human health and the environment."

Agency officials haven't decided what their National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System requirements should be for municipal wastewater treatment during wet weather. They said they were looking at "the most feasible approaches to treat wastewater and protect communities, upstream and downstream."

Tiernan Sittenfeld, legislative director for the League of Conservation Voters, which supported the House measure, said EPA's reversal is "a victory for health" and will help ensure cleaner lakes, rivers and streams.
(Full Story)

Now if we could just get them to retract their statement that they don't need more funding to keep our aging water treatement plants running at par, we will be good to go.