Dothan Escapes E.P.A. Lawsuit Without Fines
By: Jamiese Price
Updated: July 17, 2012
Dothan's long running sewer issues with the Environmental Protection Agency have finally come to an end.
Tuesday the city commission announced the battle is over and the city escaped without fines.
Dothan was facing violations related to overflows at the Beaver Creek Water Treatment plant.
The plant couldn't process all the sewer water that came through during heavy rains.
Since then the city has decommissioned Beaver Creek and expanded the Little Choctawhatchee Treatment Plant.
City Manager Mike West said this is a great day for Dothan.
West said, "By the time the regulators came in 2008 the city was already in the process of fixing the problem and that's what allowed us to be so successful in our negotiations with the E.P.A."
Mayor Mike Schmitz agreed. Schmitz said, "It really deeply concerned me about the future of our city, but because of the leadership that we have we resolved the issue and we're moving forward"
To comply with the E.P.A's resolution, the city will spend the next five years analyzing its sewer systems.
West said if any issues arise, Dothan will address the areas that need improvement.
