Officials have confirmed reports that a federal team will begin investigating Youngstown's sewer system. 

Youngstown City Law Director Martin Hume told 21 news that a team from the U.S. Government Accountability Office will travel to Youngstown for a few days in September. 

Hume said the purpose of the visit is to conduct tests of the water system and infrastructure in communities with declining populations. 

In Saturday's edition of the Vindicator, 21 News' print partner, Hume confirmed that the fact-finding visit would hopefully generate some federal concern, and possibly generate some federal grants to help Youngstown pay for a necessary sewer system upgrades. 

Hume also told the Vindicator that the study was requested by the Congressional Subcommittee on Environment and the Economy the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee. 

The request for a federal team to investigate comes after months of dissention and argument over the current state of Youngstown's infrastructure following the shutdown of three Mill Creek Park lakes. 

Lake Newport, Lake Cohassat, and Lake Glacier were closed after heavy rainfalls at the end on June caused sewage to seep into the lakes, raising the E. Coli levels to unsafe conditions, and killing dozens of fish.  

Following the shut down of the lakes it was reported that Youngstown city officials had a plan to upgraqde the sewer system, but that it would not be complete until 2033, and that it would cost $147 million dollars. 

The cost, as well as the time frame for repairs, were troubling to Mill Creek Park enthusiasts, community members, and local leaders. 

Appeals to statewide agencies for assistance paying for the necessary repairs  was heard from community groups, as well as local legislators, such as State Representatives Michele Lepore-Hagan, (D-Youngstown) and Joe Schiavoni (D-Boardman), Congressman Tim Ryan, and Youngstown Mayor John McNallly. 

Envoys from Youngstown visited Columbus, hoping to formulate a plan to fund the repairs. 

The three Mill Creek Park lakes remained shut down and began a series of 12 week bacteria testing earlier this month, the results of which have so far showed both falling and rising E. Coli levels. 

Hume told the Vindicator Saturday that the visit from the fact-finding group will hopefully prove to Congress that crumbling infrastructure, and the price of repairs, are not just a Valley problem, but a national problem as well. 

The research group from the Government Accountability Office, will visit Detroit as well as Youngstown.