In Maine, the Paris Utility District's sewage discharge license was up for renewal, which required meetings between the Environmental Protection Agency and district officials. A final draft of the terms of the license had been agreed upon, says John Barlow, manager of the utility district, and everything was proceeding according to schedule.

Then an EPA official called the treatment plant's chief operator, saying that the district had neglected to set limits on ammonia. Barlow says that although guidelines on ammonia in effluent were enacted in 1986, no such limitation had been mentioned during the negotiations.

The EPA then added that if Paris officials could provide sufficient data to prove that water in the river where the waste is discharged is colder in winter than in summer, seasonal limits could be written into the license—cold water absorbs more ammonia than warm water.

Barlow reported the comment about cold water to town trustees, adding that the EPA was welcome to come to Paris and walk on the ice-covered river to check water temperatures.

†