EPA v. WATTS REGULATOR CO.

Case summary

THIS IS A CIVIL ACTION AGAINST WATTS REGULATOR CO. FOR VIOLATION OF SECTION 301 OF THE CLEAN WATER ACT (THE ACT). DEFENDANT (DEF) IS A CORPORATION EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF MASSACHUSETTS. DEF OWNS AND OPERATES A METAL FINISHING FACILITY, UNDER THE TRADE NAME OF WEBSTER VALVE CO., IN FRANKLIN, NEW HAMPSHIRE. THE COMPLAINT REQUESTS INJUNCTIVE RELIEF AS WELL AS CIVIL PENALTIES FOR PAST VIOLATIONS. DEF HAS BEEN DISCHARGING POLLUTANTS INTO A NAVIGALBE WATER WITHOUT A PERMIT SINCE 1959. HOWEVER, THE DEF DID COMPLETE A PROPER PERMIT APPLICATION ON JUNE 10, 1981. THE REGION DEFERRED ISSUING A PERMIT PENDING THE PROMULGATION OF EFFLUENT GUIDELINES FOR THE METAL FINISHING INDUSTRY (PROPO- SED ON AUGUST 31, 1982). THE REGION HAS NOW COMPLETED A DRAFT PERMIT FOR THE FACILITY AND IT IS ANTICIPATED THAT THE FINAL PERMIT WILL BE ISSUED TO THE CO. WITHIN THE NEXT 60 DAYS. MOREOVER, THE DEF IS FULLY LIABLE FOR VIOLATIONS WHICH OCCURRED PRIOR TO THE CO.'S APPLICATION FOR A PERMIT. STATE OFFICIALS DISCOVERED DISCHARGES WITHOUT A PERMIT DURING AN INSPECTION OF THE FACILITY ON JUNE 2, 1980. THE CO. SUBMITTED A SHORT FORM PERMIT APPLICATION ON JULY 30, 1980. STATE AND FEDERAL OFFICIALS MET WITH CO. OFFICIALS AND AGAIN INSPECTED THE FACILITY ON DECEMBER 10, 1980. THE SUBMITTED A COMPLETE PERMIT APPLICATION ON JUNE 10, 1981. A REGION I INSPECTED THE FACILITY ON DECEMBER 9, 1982.

Defendants (1)

• WATTS REGULATOR CO.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (2)

• WEBSTER VALVE INCORPORATED

  583 S. MAIN ST., FRANKLIN, NH, 032356431

  Registry ID: 110000313697

• WEBSTER VALVE INCORPORATED

  583 S. MAIN ST., FRANKLIN, NH, 032356431

  Registry ID: 110000313697

Statutes cited

• CWA 309 — Violation of Existing AO

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• WATTS REGULATOR COMPANYentered 1983-10-19

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $78,000

Timeline (8 milestones)

• 1982-12-27Referred To Headquarters
• 1983-01-27Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 1983-03-03Referred TO U.S. Attorney
• 1983-03-22Complaint Filed With Court
• 1983-10-19Final Order Lodged
• 1983-10-19Final Order Entered
• 1983-10-19Concluded
• 1985-04-30Enforcement Action Closed