Attorney plays both sides in Columbia water-sewer fund controversy

By Rick Brundrett | The Nerve

On the McAngus Goudelock & Courie law firm’s website, Columbia attorney M. McMullen Taylor is listed as the board chairperson of Congaree Riverkeeper, a nonprofit environmental organization dedicated to protecting Midlands rivers.

Taylor also is one of two lawyers from the 137-attorney firm representing the city of Columbia in defending a lawsuit that claims the city for years has been illegally transferring millions of dollars from its water and sewer fund to the detriment of its aging sewer system, which the federal government has identified as a polluter of area rivers.

The city last September entered into a consent agreement with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency requiring the city to make upgrades to its sewer system under certain timelines or face penalties. The city also was required to pay a $476,400 civil fine and spend $1 million on stream restoration projects.

Congaree Riverkeeper has ranked the city as the No. 1 worst polluter in the area.

at The Nerve.