JACKSON, Miss. (AP) -- The Environmental Protection Agency says the city of Jackson released more than 2.8 billion gallons of minimally treated sewage into the Pearl River system over the last four years. That's enough to fill four NFL stadiums.
The Clarion-Ledger says reports filed with the state Department of Environmental Quality indicate that Jackson bypassed treatment at its Savannah Street Wastewater Treatment Plant about one day in eight.
The newspaper's analysis found such bypasses after a half-inch of rain or less.
The sewer system is failing. Safeguards no longer function properly because of years of neglect.
DEQ officials say health risks appear minimal.
Before diverting excess sewage, the city dilutes it with treated water, adds chlorine to kill bacteria, then dechlorinates the mixture so chemicals don't go into the river.
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