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OTTUMWA, IOWA -- The City of Ottumwa might be joining a lawsuit against the Environmental Protection Agency.

The City of Des Moines has already approved a resolution to support the measure. City Administrator Joe Helfenberger said 14 municipalities are considering joining together with the Iowa League of Cities to file the lawsuit, Iowa League of Cities v. Environmental Protection Agency.

Ottumwa’s involvement relates to the 17-year, $160 million dollar sewer separation fund.

“Basically the EPA is reinterpreting its rules and regulations and the key is without going through the rule makings process. They are basically denying us without due process of law on changing the rules,” Helfenberger said.

The Ottumwa City Council discussed the matter at a work session on Monday. Helfenberger said he feels the council showed good support of the resolution.

“I think (the city council members) are looking to basically stand up and say ‘we have had enough, we are paying enough cost here. There shouldn’t be an unlimited amount that the city should pay,’” Helfenberger said.

Helfenberger said the city will bring a resolution to next week’s city council meeting. The resolution would limit the cities financial investment to $25,000.

Helfenberger says it would be a really smart investment which could end up saving the city tens of millions of dollars.