In a settlement with Ohio EPA, Bluffton has agreed to comply with wastewater permit requirements and will pay a $10,000 civil penalty for violations related to the repairs and operation of the village's sanitary sewer system.

According to a news release from the EPA:

• The village failed to obtain a permit before replacing a section of sanitary sewer line on Harmon Road between Nov. 15 and Dec. 5, 2007. The village submitted the permit application on Jan. 10, 2008, after construction of the line was completed.
• Bluffton did not follow a compliance schedule to eliminate two combined sewer overflows (CSOs) by September 30, 2007, and submit semi-annual status reports. The village eventually eliminated the CSOs, completing work on the Jefferson Street CSO in January 2008 and the Riley and Spring streets CSO in August 2009.
• The village didn't include sanitary sewer overflow (SSO) incidents on monthly operating reports. Sanitary sewer overflows occurred in March 2007 and March, July and August of 2008.
• Bluffton did not implement the nine minimum controls that are required to prevent dry weather sewer overflows and provide proper operation and maintenance for the sewage collection system and CSOs.

During wet weather, CSOs and SSOs allow untreated wastewater to be released to Riley Creek, posing potential environmental and public health hazards.

The village agreed not to install any sewer lines or wastewater treatment works without first obtaining a permit from Ohio EPA, to report all future sanitary sewer overflows and submit reports for the SSO incidents in March, July and August 2008.

The civil penalty will be used to administer Ohio EPAs surface water programs and benefit the Ohio Environmental Education Fund.