Old Lyme - The Water Pollution Control Authority could decide Tuesday to effectively put on hold a proposal to pipe sewage from several beach neighborhoods to the New London sewer plant.

WPCA Chairman Kurt Zemba said the WPCA will discuss his recommendation for the town to cease voluntary compliance for now with the state Department of Energy and Environmental Protection's request for additional information and withdraw its wastewater plan for the beaches.

If the WPCA proceeds with Zemba's recommendation at its meeting at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday at Town Hall, the issue will be discussed further with the selectmen and Board of Finance.

The WPCA has been exploring a proposal that would send sewage from several beach neighborhoods, through East Lyme and Waterford, for treatment in New London. The town would manage the system, including centralized pump stations, for the communities that would include Old Colony Beach, Old Lyme Shores, Miami Beach, Sound View and Hawk's Nest.

The town had previously submitted a facilities plan on the beach communities' wastewater needs to the DEEP for review. After review, the DEEP could issue a recommendation, which could possibly include connecting the communities to sewers.

If Old Lyme does not implement a town-managed system, Zemba said the WPCA will support Old Lyme Shores, Old Colony Beach, and Miami Beach in efforts to proceed independently to install sewers. Old Lyme Shores and Old Colony Beach are under consent orders from the state to connect to sewers by 2016, while Miami Beach is also working on plans for sewers with the state.

Zemba said the town has concerns, including that requests from the state have been costly to the town, while there has been a lack of clear direction from the state about the extent of pollution in the beach neighborhoods.

He also said there is not yet a definitive agreement in place with East Lyme and New London, which would allow Old Lyme to send wastewater through East Lyme's sewer system and reserve capacity at New London's treatment plant.

Though the decision is not final, Zemba said the WPCA and first selectwoman are aware of his recommendation and the WPCA's attorney sent a letter to the DEEP.

DEEP spokesman Dennis Schain said the DEEP is reviewing an amended engineering report from the town dated Dec. 19, 2014, which he said acknowledges there is a community pollution problem that needs to be addressed.

He said the DEEP received the letter from the town, which the state agency will discuss with town officials and the beach communities.

"We believe the parties that are involved have an understanding of the extent of pollution, and there is more comprehensive detail about that in the Dec. 19 report from the town," he added, explaining that the report included additional information from the town's sanitarian.

Schain also expressed optimism about negotiations with New London and East Lyme.

"We're confident that there could be a positive outcome to negotiations that will take place," he said.

k.drelich@theday.com

Twitter: @KimberlyDrelich