"EPA Cites West Palm Beach Over Sewage"

"WEST PALM BEACH -- The city's sewage treatment plant has pumped untold millions of gallons of poorly treated wastewater onto wetlands adjacent to wells used to supplement the city's drinking water supply.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has cited the city with 117 pollution violations and in July won a court order that assessed the city $144,798 in fines, The Palm Beach Post learned from regulatory data this week.

Although regulators and city officials say there is no immediate danger to city residents, the city is working with environmental authorities to shore up management and testing procedures at the plant, which routinely failed to report water quality data from late 2006 through 2008."

Paul Quinlan reports for the Palm Beach Post September 30, 2009.