The city would have four more years to complete work on court-ordered improvements to its sanitary sewer system under a proposed extension hammered out by parties in the case.
In 2011, the city was ordered by the U.S. Justice Department, working on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the state, to get into compliance with the federal Clean Water Act. Area streams were being polluted by problems with the city’s aging sanitary sewers, and storm sewers were compounding problems through flooding.
The original completion date of what is known as the “Consent Decree” was 2026. However, Lexington has been negotiating with the Justice Department, the EPA and the state to move that deadline to 2030.
“Supply chain issues stemming from the pandemic and labor shortages have slowed progress,” said project manager Charles Martin, the Director of the city’s Division of Water Quality. “In addition, we have expanded the scope of some projects to improve the operation of the sanitary sewers.”
Council is expected to take an initial vote on the extension on March 21. If Council approves the change, final approval is expected from state and federal officials.
So far, 75 sanitary sewer projects have been completed. Forty-one projects, many of which are currently underway, must be completed by the proposed extension deadline. Stormwater obligations under the original agreement were completed in 2021
