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Councilmember Ferlic followed up, Wasn't the original plan using a metric that allowed for four <br /> (4) overflows? So are we hoping there will be a shift in the EPA's approach to what is actually <br /> clean water and not focusing on the number of overflows? <br /> Mr. Fahey replied, As an environmental scientist,you can't just look at something that is <br /> insignificant. You've got to look at the ultimate impact in the environment and this is a water- <br /> quality plan. <br /> Councilmember Karen White asked, Could you send copies of the PowerPoint to the Council <br /> members? (The City Clerk's Office did send all Council members a copy of the presentation <br /> thereafter. The presentation is also available for members of the public in the City Clerk's <br /> Office.) <br /> Committeemember Oliver Davis asked, So basically this is a$500 million savings?And with <br /> that, we are still able to reach all of our goals? <br /> Mr. Horvath replied, We will put this presentation on the web as well. But yes, it is a$500 <br /> million savings. We are really focusing on the water quality. We feel like we have a plan that <br /> gets us to a level of water quality that is affordable and meets human-health and environmental <br /> standards. We will take this to the EPA, DOJ and IDEM and hope they will see the same. We <br /> know this is a negotiation process, but that's why it's important for us to have really good data <br /> backing this up. <br /> Committeemember Davis followed up, If you were talking to an average-Joe, what does this do <br /> for them in terms of how it helps their life and how it makes their water system better? <br /> Mr. Horvath replied, We get calls from constituents but typically the calls we get are related to a <br /> big storm and rain water flooding. We've done a really good job of cleaning up the river and <br /> we've noticed a significant decrease in calls saying the river stinks. We have found a balance of <br /> affordability and meeting significant environmental improvements. We could show what kind of <br /> impact that would be had if we stuck with the old plan. It will be most noticeable on our water- <br /> bill. <br /> Councilmember Davis stated, It would be nice to have a graph to show the effect on each <br /> individual household,the difference between the two (2)plans. <br /> Councilmember Jo M. Broden asked, When is the actual deadline on this decision? <br /> Mr. Horvath replied, There isn't an actual deadline. There was a deadline for a five (5) year plan <br /> and this has helped us meet that requirement. This is also a good opportunity for us to tell IDEM <br /> a new story and tell them what is really going on with the previous plan, as well as with the new <br /> plan. The next deadline we have in the Consent Decree isn't in effect until 2020. <br /> Councilmember Broden followed up, When you're looking at the environmental impact, how are <br /> we isolated from what precedes us in the water flow? It seems like our success is dependent on <br /> their success. Who sorts all of that out? <br /> 7 <br />