New EPA standards could cost city millions

The City Commission may adopt this evening a resolution opposing new U.S. Environmental Protection Agency guidelines that could cost the city millions of dollars.

Scheduled to take effect in 15 months are new, stricter EPA water-quality guidelines.

The new federal criteria are in response to a lawsuit that claimed the state’s current water-quality standards don’t meet guidelines in the Clean Water Act.

If the program goes into effect as planned, all of Florida municipalities could be responsible for costly modifications to their current programs.

The Florida Department of Environmental Protection has estimated that it could cost municipalities more than $21 billion.

Contact Robin Roy at [email protected].