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Improving the environment through <br />strategically focused initiatives <br />MCES has historically maintained a near perfect <br />record for compliance with its NPDES permit limits. <br />In 1998, MCES achieved 100% compliance. This <br />record has helped improve the quality of water in <br />the river and has resulted in the return of eagles <br />and walleye to the river basin. Further <br />enhancements to environmental quality are <br />presented below. <br />• New technology chosen in 1998 to handle Metro <br />Plant solids will not only replace obsolete <br />equipment, it will improve air quality. This <br />technology will also reduce mercury 70%, with a <br />long-term goal of 90% reduction. <br />• A phosphorus reduction strategy in place for the <br />Metro Plant will reduce phosphorus discharges at <br />the plant from 4 parts per million (ppm) to 1 ppm <br />using an approach that costs 60% less than <br />anticipated five years ago. . <br />• Under an Environmental Partnership agreement <br />in 1998, MCES committed $7.5 million for surface <br />runoff pollution abatement. This investment is in <br />addition to the $8.5 million spent in the past five <br />years and supports the MCES commitment to <br />implement the most cost-effective measures to <br />environmental improvement in the region, a shift <br />from the traditional exclusive emphasis on <br />treatment plant solutions. <br />Ensuring equity in the MCES rate system <br />MCES is committed to a system of rates that charge <br />customers for the services they receive without <br />subsidizing other user groups. MCES has <br />systematically re-examined its three rate systems— <br />the Sewer Service Charges, the Industrial Rate <br />System, and the Service Availability Charge. <br />Improvements are being made in all three systems. <br />• In 1998, a new Sewer Service Charge billing <br />system, which responds to customer input, <br />simplifies the billing process and bills customer <br />communities for actual flow. <br />• Changes to the Industrial Rate System that will <br />improve equity in the system by eliminating a <br />clean water credit for industries are being <br />implemented in 1999. <br />• Proposed changes to the Service Availability <br />Charge system that will eliminate current user <br />subsidies of growth in the system have a planned <br />implementation date of 2000-2001. <br />Rev. June 1999