Portal city officials are working towards improving wastewater disposal and maintenance issues after the Georgia Environmental Protection Division mandated changes following an unpermitted discharge and sewage spill. In February, EPD officials performed an inspection of the town’s wastewater retention pond, and found an overflowing "stand pipe" behind the pond off U.S. Highway 80 West between Chipper's Lane and Larry Smith Road, according to Bruce Foisy, district supervisor for EPD's Brunswick office. The discovery followed about a year’s worth of violations, according to documents provided to the Statesboro Herald by EPD officials.