Blackfoot Faces $30,000 Epa Fine

Sat., Aug. 12, 2000

As city officials continue budget negotiations, they will need to consider a new item: a possible $30,000 fine imposed by the Environmental Protection Agency.

The potential penalty stems from 16 violations of the Clean Water Act between May 1998 and March 1999, when the city’s wastewater treatment plant released harmful materials into the Snake River.

The contaminants included bacteria, organic solids and excess oxygen.

The EPA’s complaint said the materials could harm river life, as well as people who drink the water.

Solids can threaten cutthroat, brown and rainbow trout, and bacteria can cause intestinal problems, kidney failure and death.

City officials are preparing to make a multimillion dollar upgrade.

Work will begin in phases next year and could be completed in the summer of 2002, plant supervisor Mike Merlette said.

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Blackfoot Faces $30,000 Epa Fine

Jesse Tinsley

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