City of Chattanooga Public Works and the county's Water and Wastewater Treatment Authority have reached agreement to work cooperatively on eliminating sanitary sewer overflows.

The two entities that both deal with sewer issues have been in talks in recent months.

That came after City Councilman Chip Henderson recommended a cost/benefit analysis on the two units of government merging.

The plan of cooperation involves entering into an inter-local agreement.

Officials said the cooperation will help both departments meet requirements of federal government Consent Decrees. The city is under such a decree and the WWTA has been meeting with EPA officials on what it will be required to do.

The agreement is entitled "the Environmental and Economic Infrastructure Improvements for mutual beneficial cooperation to reduce the scope and cost of the projects."

City of Chattanooga project procurement processes will be used.

WWTA Executive Director Mike Patrick formerly worked on city sewer projects with the city's Public Works Department.

The City Council will discuss the agreement on Nov. 5.