WASHINGTON IN BRIEF: "The Environmental Protection Agency decided yesterday to abandon a proposed rule aimed at relaxing federal standards for sewage treatment. The proposal, which the administration offered in November 2003, would have allowed sewage-system operators to dump partially treated wastewater after heavy rains, even though it might still contain viruses, parasites and toxic chemicals.

The proposal 'is not a long-term solution,' said Benjamin H. Grumbles, assistant administrator of the EPA's Office of Water. 'Our goal is to reduce overflows and increase treatment of wastewater to protect human health and the environment.' Environmentalists hailed the decision."

(Via Washington Post.)