Illinois Pollution Control Board

May 30, 1972

CITY OF ARCOLA

)

v.

)

PCB 72—18

ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

Mr. Voris

D. Seaman for Petitioner

Mr. Dennis K. Muncy for the Environmental Protection Agency

Opinion of the Board

(by Mr. Aldrich):

On January 10,

1972 the City of~Arcolafiled a petition requesting

a variance from the July

1,

1972,

date for complying with the water

quality standards of

SWB—14,

A hearing was held May 17, 1972.

On March

7,

1972,

the Board adopted Section 404, Chapter

3,

“Water

Regulations”, which in effect postponed the date of meeting the

effluent standards in SWB-14 until December 31,

1973, whereas

Arcola anticipates completion of planned improvements in its sewage

treatment facilities by November 1,

1973, thus mooting the need for

Petitioner~svariance request. However, the Agency~srecommendation con-

tained a number of allegations respecting existing violations, which

we construe as

a counter—complaint.

The hearing brought to light:

1)

that a single breakdown in chlori~

nation had occurred which continued

2 days and

4 hours;

2)

that

the sewage plant operator is receiving additional training at

Petitioner’s expense to qualify him to operate the plant;

3)

that

the City has examined its sewer lines for defi~ienciesin structure.

The only problem of immediate concern is that the holding lagoon

to which the treated sludge is pumped is nearly full of settleable

solids and no rite has been found that will accept the sludge which

must soon be removed.

Though we have said that the variance request

is moot,

the sludge disposal problem

until solved,

involves a

threat of pollution.

We support the position of the Agency that the

city must diligently pursue the matter and find a suitable site

at the earliest practicable date.

In a pre—hearing conference the Agency and City reached agreement

on the main points requiring action by the City.

They

are covered

in the Order.

4

—

635

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ORDER

1.

The City of Arcola shall have

a qualified operator

for its

sewage treatment plant and provide him with

all necessary

training.

2.

The City of Arcola shall obtain any necessary equipment for the

plant

s laboratory.

3.

The City of Arcola shall complete the study of infiltration

sources to the sewer system and remedy them insofar as possible.

4.

The City of Arcola shall diligently pursue the matter of

a

suitable disposal site for the sludge from

its lagoon and report

its plan to the Agency at the

earliest practicable date and in

any case before the threat of overflow of

the

laqoon is

imminent.

I,

Christan L.

Moffett,

C1c~rk of

the

Pollutior

C~:rtrol

Boa;d,

certify

that

the

Board

adopt~d~

the

ar~v~

J~’~

day

~

1972,

by

a

vote

4

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