Indiana city to comply with environmental legislation

In a bid to comply with environmental legislation, one Indiana city has agreed to make extensive improvements to its sewer systems that will significantly reduce its longstanding overflows into the Ohio river.

A comprehensive Clean Water Act settlement with federal and state government, the Justice Department, the US Environmental Protection Agency and the state of Indiana saw the City of Jeffersonville promise to make the changes in order to comply with the federal Clean Water Act.

John Cruden, acting assistant attorney general for the Justice Department's Environment and Natural Resources division, said that the act obliges cities like Jeffersonville to eliminate or reduce their sewage overflows into the nation's rivers, lakes and oceans.

"We're pleased that the city has agreed to take these important steps that will improve water quality in the Ohio river and protect public health," stated Mr Cruden, who was appointed by President Obama in January.

Written by Claire Manning