EPA v. New Britain, City of

Case summary

THE CITY PARTICIPATED IN THE REGION'S DPW AUDIT INITIATIVE. BY LETTER DATED JULY 8,2002, THE CITY DISCLOSED THAT AMONG OTHER ACTIVITIES, IT REGULARLY DISCHARGED VEHICLE WASHWATER FROM THE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS, DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION, WATER DEPARTMENT, AND FIRE DEPARTMENT FACILITIES INTO WATERS OF THE U.S. THROUGH THE CITY STORMWATER SEWER SYSTEM AND/OR INTO THE CITY SANITARY SEWER SYSTEM. AT NO TIME BEFORE JULY 8, 2002, DID THE CITY HAVE A NPDES PERMIT FOR SUCH DISCHARGES OR A CONNECTICUT GENERAL PERMIT FOR THE DISCHARGE OF VEHICLE MAINTENANCE WASTEWATER. THUS, THE CITY WAS DISCHARGING POLLUTANTS WITHOUT AN NPDES PERMIT IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 301 OF THE CLEAN WATER ACT AND IN VIOLATION OF THE STATE PRETREATMENT PROGRAM. IN ADDITION, THE CITY DISCHARGED STORMWATER FROM THE DPW, WATER DEPARTMENT AND PARKS AND RECREATION FACILITIES WITHOUT AN INDIVIDUAL OR GENERAL PERMIT.

Defendants (1)

• New Britain, City ofNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• NEW BRITAIN DPW

  55 HARVARD ST, NEW BRITAIN, CT, 06050

  Registry ID: 110002005428

Statutes cited

• CWA 301 — NPDES Discharge without a Permit

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• New Britain, City ofentered 2006-03-24

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $50,000

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2005-10-19Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2006-02-10Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2006-03-24Final Order Issued