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An investigation by the Birmingham News revealed that "nearly half of the $1.4 million that the Jefferson County Commission said it needs to finish a court-ordered sewer overhaul would be used for projects that have nothing to do with the federal order." In 1997, county officials launched the sewer repair program, estimated at the time to cost about $1 billion. "The program's cost has more than trippled now, now estimated in excess of $3 billion... The county, with little fanfare, launched its most aggressive sewer expansion program while also complying with the court order."