KENDRICK, Idaho (AP) — A northcentral Idaho city accused by federal regulators of illegally polluting the Potlatch River for four years is paying $3,500 to settle the case.

Kendrick agreed to the pact with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for alleged Clean Water Act violations at the city's wastewater treatment plant.

James Werntz, head of the EPA's Idaho office, said on Monday, "Cities like Kendrick provide a valuable community service by treating wastewater, but they must strictly follow their permit limits."

EPA alleged the city's plant had over 1,400 permit limit violations from April 2005 through March 2009, including for E. Coli and total suspended solids.

To address the effluent permit violations, the city improved its chlorination system and is removing the sludge buildup in its sewage lagoons.