EPA sues Timmonsville over sewage discharges

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — A lawsuit accuses the South Carolina town of Timmonsville of putting residents’ health at risk by improperly discharging raw sewage and wastewater.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on Wednesday asked a federal court to order the town to address what it said were violations of the Clean Water Act. The EPA says Timmonsville has long violated state and federal clean water policies and has failed to comply with orders to correct problems.

Since last year, the EPA says the town has had problems maintaining its wastewater and drinking water systems. Residents are set to vote later this month over whether the town’s water management should be transferred to the City of Florence.

Court records listed no attorney for Timmonsville. Town officials did not immediately return a message seeking comment.

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Kinnard can be reached at http://twitter.com/MegKinnardAP