Loyall City Council received some good news Monday night concerning its wastewater system.

The Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection has approved the city’s Capacity Management Operation and Maintenance (CMOM) document.

And, based on comments made during the meeting, the work necessary to make the plan a reality wasn’t an easy task.

The city had actually completed work on the plan some time back, but approval apparently was delayed due to the death of a staff member in the governing state agency’s office.

“Based on our review of these documents, the CMOM submittal is hereby approved in accordance with Section 16.c of the Loyall Consent Judgment,” wrote Jeffrey A. Cummins, director for the Division of Enforcement of the Kentucky Department for Environmental Protection.

The city of Loyall was one of numerous municipalities targeted by the EPA over wastewater discharge and overflow. Others included Harlan, Pineville and Pikeville.

Loyall was placed under a consent judgment to resolve alleged violations and to establish an enforceable mechanism and schedule for completing efforts to ensure compliance with state statutes and regulations.

The city did not admit or deny violations in the judgment, but implemented various measures to become in compliance.

“We are proud to have this done,” said Loyall City Manager Mandy Longworth, saying endless hours had been put into the document by Mark Duff, wastewater treatment plant manager, and Michelle Howard, city clerk, and others.

The CMOM involved a self assessment of the city’s combined and separate sewer collection systems with EPA guidelines and to develop a plan and keep it in place to eliminate sanitary sewer overflow, including unauthorized discharges, within the combined and separate sewer collections systems.

The plan is an ongoing project as annual updates are required, she said.

Council member Dewayne Lewis said the document is simply an overview of how the city handles its septic/sewage disposal.

A consent judgment, which resulted in a $2,000 fine against the city, had been entered into in Franklin Circuit Court.

In addition to the CMOM, the city also operates the wastewater treatment program under a 40-plus page city ordinance.

Council received another report concerning the wastewater treatment plant. A voluntary energy audit was recently conducted for the city by the Rural Community Assistance Partnership at no cost to the city.

While some changes are recommended for installing more energy efficient equipment, especially pumps, the cost is prohibitive at present and will be implemented as equipment is replaced over the years.

The auditor suggested that “When it tears up, replace it with the most energy efficient parts” available, said Duff.

The audit reports offers the city ideas on ways to reduce costs by saving energy, thereby saving the city important revenue.

The city will continue to participate in this program in the future.

In another matter, Duff reported a seal had been replaced in the chlorine/sulfur pump. He said there are no current problems with the plant or collection system, adding “we are having good test results.”

Council also approved a resolution with the Cumberland Valley Area Development District updating the city’s Hazard Mitigation Plan for flooding, tornadoes, severe thunderstorms and other emergencies. FEMA requires the plan.

Reach Jeff Phillips at 606.573.4510, jphillips@civitasmedia.com