EPA fines Lexington $59,000 for sewer overflows despite $590 million overhaul
The city of Lexington must pay state and federal regulators $59,000 for storm water and sewer overflows in 2017, according to documents released Tuesday.
The city signed an agreement with state and federal oversight agencies in 2012. As part of that deal — called a consent decree —the city agreed to fund a $590 million overhaul and upgrade of the city’s storm water system to decrease sewage overflows. That agreement also said the city could be fined $2,000 for each overflow from backed up pipes beginning in 2014.
The $59,000 payment will be split between the state and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Each will receive $29,500, according to documents.
The Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council is expected to approve the fine payment.
The 2017 fine is much less than the $102,000 the city had to pay in 2015 for 51 overflows during a 15-month period, but more than the $28,000 fine in 2016.
Charlie Martin, director of water quality for the city, said overflows will likely continue despite the hundreds of millions of dollars the city has spent and will continue to spend upgrading its system.
And so will the fines.
“Even if we tripled the amount we spend every year on maintenance, we would still have sanitary sewer overflows,” Martin said. “We could spend an additional $30 million or pay a $60,000 fine.”
The city spends $1 million on preventative maintenance each year.
The city will pay for the fine out of its sewer fund, which is separate from the general fund, which pays for most city services.
The city raised its sewer rates July 1 to help pay for the $590 million upgrade. The average residential bill increased from $28.57 to $30 a month for a home that uses 4,000 gallons a month. The city also raised sewer rates in 2015.
“Some of these overflows are caused by trees infiltrating the pipes and grease and other materials causing back ups,” Martin said. “That’s also not something we can control.”
Martin said he is currently negotiating with federal and state regulators on the 2018 sanitary sewer overflow fines. Martin said he expects those fines to be higher than 2017. Some of that has to do with an increase in rain, he said.
Taxpayers can help the city decrease fines by keeping grease and other pipe-clogging material out of the city’s sewer system, city officials have previously said.
Fats, oils and grease cause a lot of blockages in pipes. Don’t run hot water over dishes, pans or fryers to wash oil and grease down the drain. It doesn’t work, according to information provided by the city. The grease will eventually solidify in the pipes. Also, don’t use the garbage disposal to break up grease. It, too, will solidify.
Instead, allow any fats, oils and grease to cool before putting it into a seal-able container. Freeze the container and then throw it away.
