Kansas City and federal authorities last week signed a consent decree that calls for the city to spend $2.5 billion to upgrade its sewer system over the next 25 years. The goal of the agreement with the Environmental Protection Agency and Justice Department is to eliminate overflows of raw sewage and to reduce pollution released in storm water.
The settlement is expected to be approved by the federal court in Kansas City after a 30-day period during which the public can comment.
While similar agreements have been reached across the country, Kansas City is the only one to have won a 10-year extension in the time period during which the improvements can be made. The city has not yet released a financing plan.
