During various times of the year, the Town of Marlinton’s sewer treatment system is unable to comply with certain Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) regulations. The violations related to the Town of Marlinton are not unique to our town. Much of Marlinton’s problem has to do with what is referred to as Inflow-Infiltration (I&I). Marlinton has a combined sewer system (CSO). Also, much of the Town is in a river bottom. In wet weather, when the river and creeks are up, ground-water gets into the system, mostly through the older terra-cotta tile lines, causing Marlinton to exceed outflow limits allowed by the Town’s permit. These issues are fairly common across the United States. The DEP has rejected a plan-of-corrective action (POCA), which the Town had worked on for more than six months. The DEP wants a timeline or schedule of what the Town is going to do to correct the reoccurring violations. Sooner than later, the town council will have to move through the process – advertise for bids and hire a professional consultant to evaluate the entire sewer system. The goal would be to put a real cost with what would be required to satisfy DEP Regulations. Last week, I attended the 50th Annual Conference of the West Virginia Municipal League at Big Sandy Superstore Arena in Huntington. Woody Thrasher was a speaker on Wednesday, and on Thursday, Gov. Jim Justice addressed community leaders from across the state who came together for the Conference. The WVML is a statewide, nonprofit, nonpartisan association of cities, towns and villages established in 1968 to assist local governments and advance the interests of their citizens. The League achieves this directive through legislative advocacy, research, education and other services for municipal elected officials. All 231 municipalities within West Virginia are members of the WVML.
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