ATLANTA (AP)-Environmental groups have settled a challenge with state officials that will require industries along polluted waterways to routinely check stormwater runoff for disease-causing contaminants.

The settlement will require some 3,500 Georgia industrial facilities to monitor stormwater for fecal coliform, a bacteria considered an indicator for human waste.

The groups challenged the state's industrial stormwater permit in April 2005 because they argued exempting the bacteria from testing was a "major flaw."

The agreement also requires industries to make public their plans to prevent stormwater pollution. Under the existing process, the groups argued, there was no guarantee to make those plans open.

"Being able to see those documents and understand what is happening at a particular site is vital," said Jim Grode, an attorney with the Virginia-based Southern Environmental Law Center.

The center had argued that the state Environmental Protection Division's industrial stormwater permit is a "one-size-fitsall" policy that failed to test for diseasecausing pollutants.

The deal brokered between state officials, environmentalists and industry groups will help control polluted stormwater runoff while not stifling commerce, Grode said.

"We think we got a much better permit now," he said. "It's more protective of water quality but still provides guidance and flexibility for industry so they can go about doing their business without too much burden. It's a win for everybody."

A spokesman and an attorney from the EPD did not immediately return phone calls.

The center represented the Upper Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, the Coosa River Basin Initiative and the Altamaha Riverkeeper in the complaint.

On the Net:
Southern Environmental Law Center: http://www.southernenvironment.org

Source: AP-AP Wire Service