ILLINOIS POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD
August 23, 1973
)
CITY OF HIGHLAND
)
)
)
v.
)
PCB 73-221
)
ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY
)
)
OPINION AND ORDER OF THE BOARD (by Mr. Dumelle)
Petition for variance was filed on
May
25, 1973 to relax an
existing sewer connection ban to permit hooking up a projected
rest area to be built along Interstate Route 70 in Highland, Madi-
son County, by the Illinois Department of Transportation.
The Agency filed its recommendation on June 29, 1973 and
recommended denial. Public hearing was held on July 16, 1973 in
Hi ghland.
The site for the rest area was selected in 1963 for maximum
scenic value and adequate spacing (about one hour travel) from other
rest areas. It overlooks Silver Lake which is the water supply for
Highland.
The
City’s interest
in the variance is obvious. Since the
State would construct 14,000 lineal feet of 12” diameter sewer to the
rest area and through an area presently containing overloaded septic
tanks, the City would be spared this expense, said to be about
$130,000 (R.42), and when its sewage plant is again at proper capa-
city, could connect on those homes.
The State Transportation Department’s
interest in the variance
(though not
a party) is that the alternative to a sewer is much more
costly and has other disadvantages.
A lagoon for sewage treatment
would require 6.7 acres at a
cost
of $16,000 to $20,000 for the
land
plus $160,000 for outfall lines
and
pumping stations plus $54,000 for
maintenance for a total of $234,000 (R.36). Later
on the figure of
$280,000 is given without a detailed breakdown (R.49).
We do not agree wi.th either the $234,000 or $280,000 figures.
The latter is unsubstantiated and the former incorrectly lumps in
annual maintenance. Later testimony revealed that the incremental
cost attached to lagooning treatment alone was not known (R. 55)
Thus the correct figure is more nearly the land cost ($20,000) plus
the outfall lines ($160,000) plus some capitalized equivalent of the
-
unknown maintenance costs.
The other disadvantages to lagooning are (1) placement
of a sewage lagoon within 1,000 feet of the City’s water supply
which we feel is not desirable (2) aesthetic impairment of what
apparently is a beautiful site (3) some organic loading to a stream
which flows through a dairy farm.
The rest area, to be completed in late summer of 1975 (two
years from now) would add to the plant about 47.1 lbs. of BOD per
day or a population equivalent of 282. The flow would be 20,732
gpd for a P.E. of 207 (R.46). The sewage plant has a 7,000 P.E,
design but is limited to 5,000 P.E. by the final clarifier (R.83,
87)
The City’s consulting engineer testified that the new sewage
plant might be on line about the summer of 1975 (R.90) but admitted
that he was perhaps “optimistic” (R.91).
Agency witnesses told of the degradation of the branch of Sugar
Creek which flows to the Kaskaskia River and noted sludge deposits
and undiversified stream fauna (R.l03). Low dissolved oxygen
(0.2 mg/l) was reported which was far below the State 5.0 mg/i
standard for a 16 hour period (State Ex. 1)
.
About five miles
below the sewage plant, the stream began to recover (R.l04).
Other testimony told of nozzles missing or clogged and the
wrong size aggregate in the fixed trickling filter (R.l35). Also
ponding was noted as well as “black, anaerobic growth” at the
filter (R.l34, 140).
On balance, we grant the variance. While the sewage plant may
be expanded just in time we know full well there is many a slip
‘twixt the plan and the Federal grant. And the Illinois Department
of Transportation should know now that it will have a sewer connec-
tion for its rest area so that it can proceed with orderly planning
and construction contracts.
But there are many things Highland can and must do to improve
its sewage treatment and its resulting effects upon the stream. It
should remove the many ~‘drifts” (blockages) along the stream (eight
major and 12 partial were noted)(R. 167). The trickling filter’s
missing nozzles should be replaced and others made to function and
the correct size aggregate should be installed. The use of
chemicals to decrease overloading should be explored. Chlorination,
due by July 31, 1972 (Rule 405), shall be installed with a temporary faci~
lity within 120 days. And the June 26, 1972 sewer control ordinance
shall be enforced to protect the biological sewage treatment process
from deleterious industrial wastes.
This opinion constitutes
the Board’s findings cf fact and
conclusions of law,
06
-3-
ORDER
1.
Variance is granted from the Sanitary Water Board ban
of
February 20, 1969 to connect the rest area on Interstate
Route
70 to the Highland Sewage Treatment Plant.
2. The City shall remove, within 60 days, and keep free the
receiving stream from drifts (blockages) in order to promote
maximum reaeration.
3. The feasibility of using chemicals to improve sewage treatment
shall be studied and reported to the Agency within 90 days.
If feasible, the Agency may ask the Board to issue an addi-
tional order in this proceeding to require their use.
4. A temporary chlorination facility sufficient to meet the stan-
dard shall be installed and operated within 120 days from
this date.
5. The trickling filter shall be made completely operable
within 60 days including nozzles and correct size aggregate.
6. Studies of industrial wastes and pretreatment programs shall
be pursued to completion by June 30, 1974. If not satisfactory
to the Agency, request may be made to the Board to enter
further orders as are appropriate.
7. This proceeding shall remain open for further orders of the
Board as listed in
No. 3 and No. 6 above.
IT IS SO ORDERED.
I, Christan L. Moffett, Clerk of the Illinois Pollution
Control Board, hereby certify the above Opinion and Order were adopted
on
the
~
day of August, 1973 by a vote of
___________________
Illinois Pollution
I Board