In researching topics related to decision making, I chose to investigate the decisions that led to the implementation of the Evansville Sewer Replacement Project and the impact it had on consumers and local government officials. To understand and research the decisions made, I also had to explore the details of the project and what constituted the initiative, its purpose and its effect on consumers. Throughout the research, it was determined that this project came about due to many factors over a period of time and that the timeline of the project was based on and influenced by decisions made by the city government. The goal of the Evansville Sewer Replacement Initiative is to eliminate the use of combined sewer outflows (on CSOs) in the City of Evansville within twenty years (Martin). This initiative was led by the government and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA enforces the Clean Water Act of 1972, which mandates oversight of these civil society organizations throughout the United States and requires the city to prepare a long-term plan consistent with appropriate water quality standards (Program Facts). Due to the city's decision throughout history to underinvest in their sewer system, they now face a significant problem of upgrading an outdated system that requires many upgrades to comply with these federal mandates at a considerable cost (Evansville Water and Sewer Utility). CSOs are combined sanitary sewers that carry both wastewater and stormwater and the surplus exceeds the capacity of the infrastructure (Program Data). About 100 years ago, many cities like Evansville began building sewers to carry wastewater away from homes, businesses and streets. Then, with the installation of ind...... middle of paper ......ht Banks. Np, nd Web. April 12, 2014. Evansville Water and Sewer Utility. Funding our city's sewer improvements. Np: Evansville Water and Sewer Utility, n.d. www.evansville.in.gov. Renovate Evansville. Network. April 25, 2014. Martin, Giovanni. “Cities, feds are working to finalize plan to curb combined sewer overflows.” Courier and Press. Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group, March 22, 2013. Web. April 12, 2014. “Program Facts.” Evansville.IN.Gov. Renew Evansville, May 1, 2013. Web. April 12, 2014. Combined Sewer Overflow Operational Plan (CSOOP) Update .2012. Evansville: Evansville Water and Sewer Utility, November 12, 2012. PDF.