State environmental officials in Austin agreed Wednesday that a $5,700 fine paid by the city of Sanger can go to a program that helps school districts buy natural gas-powered buses.

The fine was assessed by the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality after the city’s wastewater treatment plant discharged more ammonia nitrogen in August than was allowed.

Like many small-town sewage treatment plants, Sanger’s doesn’t have a lab at the plant. Instead, the city sends out its samples to a lab and waits for results, City Manager Mike Brice said.

“By the time we find out the problem, we can’t fix it right away,” Brice said.

When the lab results showed that the plant was over the limit, crews removed and repaired a blower in one of the aeration ponds.

According to state documents, when calculating the fine, which could have been as much as $10,000, TCEQ inspectors noted that the plant was compliant again after the repair. They also weighed the plant’s compliance history, which was considered average.

The plant received eight violations in spring 2007 — one classified as major when the city failed to submit its annual sludge reports. The plant received two violations, both classified as moderate, in 2008.

Since Sanger’s sewage treatment plant is not anywhere near capacity, Brice said, the city continues to hold off on previously announced plans to build a second plant.

“We’re waiting for the economy to rebound, for homes to start selling again,” Brice said. “Even then, we’re not going to be needing it [another plant] for two to three years.”

By opting to pay the fine to an environmental program rather than to TCEQ, Brice said the money could return to Denton County instead of staying in Austin.

TCEQ certifies a number of statewide environmental programs, including ones that replace failing septic systems and aging school buses.

Sanger opted for the school bus program.

“This way, some school district can use that money to buy a natural gas bus,” Brice said.

The TCEQ commissioners approved $1,422,220 in fines to 86 entities statewide on Wednesday.

Agreed orders for two other Denton County businesses were approved by commissioners on Wednesday. Aero Valley Water Service of Roanoke was fined $5,133 for failing to test its public water supply for bacteria. They also approved a $210 field citation to Jon Piatt of Denton for failing to obtain the appropriate license to inspect on-site sewage facilities.

PEGGY HEINKEL-WOLFE can be reached at 940-566-6881. Her e-mail address is pheinkel-wolfe@dentonrc.com.