THE CITY OF HARDINSBURG (CITY) OWNS AND OPERATES A WWT FACILITY SERVING A POPULATION OF APPROXIMATELY 2500. SINCE 1977, THE CITY HAS BEEN UNABLE TO MEET THE EFFLUENT LIMITATIONS ON ITS DISCHARGE OF POLLUTANTS TO SURFACE WATERS CONTAINED IN TWO NATIONAL POLLUTANT DISCHARGE ELIMINATION SYSTEM (NPDES) PERMITS ISSUED BY THE U.S. ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY. IN ADDITION, FOR A PERIOD FROM JUNE 30, 1982 UNTIL SEPTEMBER 19, 1983, THE CITY OPERATED ITS TREAT- MENT FACILTIY WITHOUT AN NPDES PERMIT.