ON MAY 24, 1982, THE U.S. DISTRICT COURT FOR THE NORTHERN DISTRICT OF OHIO ENTERED A CONSENT DECREE RESOVING U.S. EPA'S CIVIL ACTION UNDER THE CLEAN WATER ACT AGAINST THE MAHONING VALLEY SANITARY DISTRICT. THAT DECREE REQUIRES THE DISTRICT TO CONSTRUCT NEW POLLUTION CONTROL FACILITIES BY JULY 1983. THE FIRST CONSTRUCTION MILESTONE WAS OCTOBER 1, 1982, WHEN THE MVSD WAS TO HAVE COMMENCED OPERATION OF A NEW SETTLING LAGOON. FULL OPERATION OF THAT LAGOON WAS TO HAVE BEGUN OCTOBER 31, 1982. BOTH DATES HAVE BEEN MIS- SED, OSTENSIBLY DUE TO A CONTRACTOR'S FAILURE TO DELIVER SOME SPECIALLY MANUFACTURED VALVES. THIS DELAY DOES NOT APPEAR TO JEOPARDIZE ULTIMATE COMPLIANCE WITH THE DECREE'S REQUIREMENT OF COMPLETION OF THE BACKWASH FACILITY BY JULY 1, 1983. MOREOVER, THE MVSD APPEARS TO BE SEVERAL MONTHS AHEAD OF SCHEDULE WITH THIS PROJECT.