The Illinois Environmental Protection Agency has notified the City of Lawrenceville that it is in violation of environmental regulations tied to its sanitary sewer system. The notice, received Friday, follows complaints of sewage backing up into basements after heavy rainfall on April 5 caused an overflow. The IEPA says required testing and reporting procedures were not properly followed. Mayor David Courtney said the city has 45 days to work with engineering firm HMG of Breese, Ill., to submit a compliance plan outlining corrective steps. Initial smoke-testing of sewer lines has already been conducted to locate problem areas. Courtney added the city looks forward to working with the EPA to find a long-term solution.
