ABERDEEN (AP) -- Aberdeen is trying to solve problems with its sewer system but still might face state fines for discharging untreated wastewater into Moccasin Creek.
According to the media, the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources is negotiating with city officials on penalties for three incidents of untreated wastewater discharges. The first was in 2007 and the last was in July 2011, when more than 90 million gallons of untreated wastewater were released into the creek over a 17-day period when heavy rains saturated the ground.
That caused ground water to seep into the sanitary sewer system, resulting in high flow rates. State engineer Kelli Buscher says officials want the problem fixed.
Aberdeen began a $1.5 million sewer line replacement project Monday as one way to deal with the problem.
