The Georgia Department of Natural Resources Environmental Protection Division (EPD) will hear public comments on Peachtree City's remedies for sewage spills and sludge problems at a hearing Tuesday, March 16, at 7 p.m. at City Hall.

Peachtree City Water and Sewer Authority has paid a $41,500 fine related to the spills in the summer of 1998. The "consent order" from EPD calls for WASA to develop a solids handling plan for the Flat Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, devise a comprehensive plan for improvements at all facilities, initiate increased sampling and stream monitoring, and comply with all permits.

WASA manager Larry Turner says the three treatment plants now have 24-hour staffing and backup electrical power. A new data-gathering system will help catch problems before spills can occur, he added. The authority recently reviewed a first draft of plans for system-wide improvements within the next several years.