Akron agrees to reduce sewage overflows

AKRON, Ohio, Nov. 14 (UPI) -- The city of Akron, Ohio, has agreed to reduce sewer overflows polluting the Cuyahoga and Little Cuyahoga rivers and the Ohio & Erie Canal, authorities said.

The settlement between the U.S. Justice Department, the Ohio attorney general's office and the Akron City Council still must be approved in federal court, justice officials said in a statement Friday.

"These steps will improve water quality in the Cuyahoga River and its tributaries, protect public health, and enhance recreation and other public uses of the River," the statement said.

The settlement calls for Akron to expand the capacity of its sewage treatment plant, reduce overflows from 32 sewer outlets, pay a $500,000 fine and provide $900,000 to remove a dam on the Cuyahoga River between Brecksville and Sagamore Hills Township.

The settlement resolves a lawsuit brought against Akron this year by the federal government and the state of Ohio.