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River conservation group objects to sewage permitChampaign, December 18, 2003: Prairie Rivers Network, the statewide river conservation group in Illinois, has objected to a water pollution control permit the Illinois EPA is proposing to issue to the Tuscola sewage treatment facility. The group says that, as proposed, the permit will not ensure that state and federal water quality laws will be satisfied.Three waterbodies downstream of the sewage treatment facility, Scattering Fork, Embarras River, and Charleston Side Channel Reservoir, are polluted with too much phosphorus. Excess phosphorus in rivers and streams can cause algae blooms and decrease oxygen and water clarity. These conditions are hazardous for fish and other stream organisms and can render the water aesthetically offensive. Because the sewage treatment plant is not removing phosphorus, it is contributing to phosphorus problems downstream. "The law clearly prohibits sewage treatment plants from contributing to pollution problems," said Beth Wentzel, watershed scientist for Prairie Rivers. "We are asking that the City incorporate affordable treatment technology to reduce its contribution to these problems." Under the Clean Water Act, more stringent limits for pollutants must be determined and incorporated into the sewage treatment plant permit when there is already too much pollution for the stream to handle. Based on Prairie Rivers Network's review of the permit, it would appear this facility is currently contributing to water quality standards violations. Prairie Rivers Network is also concerned that the Tuscola permit does not include reductions in phosphorus required by the watershed restoration plan for Charleston's drinking water source, recently approved by USEPA and required under the Clean Water Act. "The restoration plan recently finalized by Illinois EPA specifies that a dramatic reduction in the phosphorus load on the Embarras River is needed to satisfy water quality standards in Charleston's reservoir," stated Wentzel. "But now the agency is ignoring an opportunity to take concrete steps to improve that water quality." Illinois EPA is currently considering public comments and final action on the Tuscola permit. # # # | |