The Springfield City Council unanimously approved an amendment to the city’s sewer agreement with Guyton last Tuesday.

The amendment, pending approval by the state Environmental Protection Division, requests 100,000 gallons a day in additional capacity for Springfield to pass to Guyton.

According to the contract amendment, the additional capacity will be released in increments of 25,000 gallons. The amount used will be checked weekly to determine release of increments of additional capacity.

When Guyton’s wastewater usage comes within 10,000 gallons of the next allotment in any given weekly check the next allotment of 25,000 gallons will be requested.

Councilman Kenny Usher asked if Guyton is required to notify Springfield when a weekly check shows usage is within 10,000 of the next allotment.

Councilman Dennis Webb said the contract states “Guyton shall notify” and that would be a requirement.

Guyton will be required to pay $200,000 for each 25,000-gallon increment.

The agreement also includes a buyout option when or if Guyton builds its own treatment plant or chooses to tie on to the county’s treatment plant.

“We talked about $350,000 would be what we would pay them back to walk away and leave us with the capacity in the plant,” Webb said. “That’s after they build their plant, or whatever they do to leave us.”

According to the contract, at such time as Guyton notifies Springfield that it will discontinue service, Springfield will purchase the capacity that is allotted to Guyton for $350,000.

Springfield will make three payments over two years to purchase the capacity from Guyton.

Councilman Charles Hinely asked if EPD had approved the agreement.

Webb said EPD liked the idea, but there has not been official approval of the agreement.

“If they don’t agree to it, this thing’s dead,” Webb said.

Usher said he liked the paragraph that requires both parties to address the aging infrastructure.

Webb said it is something that needs to be addressed.

“That’s one of those issues we don’t know how much we can deal with,” he said.