EPA v. PRASA V (Wastewater)

Case summary

VIOLATIONS OF NPDES PERMITS AT 61 WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANTS THROUGHOUT PUERTO RICO. RECOMMEND ACTION BE TAKEN TO SECURE INJUNCTIVE RELIEF REQUIRING THE DEFENDANT TO OPERATE AND MAINTAIN THESE PLANTS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE NPDES PERMITS AND THE CWA, TO MAKE CAPITAL IMPROVEMENTS WHERE NECESSARY TO ENSURE COMPLIANCE, AND TO OBTAIN A PENALTY FOR THE VIOLATIONS THAT HAVE OCCURRED. On January 10, 2007, the District Court of Puerto Rico entered the Consent Decree in this case. The settlement resolves the case filed against the Defendant for violations at sixty-one of its wastewater treatment plants. The Defendant will pay a cash penalty and complete a supplemental environmental project (SEP). The SEP requires the Defendant to identify one or more communities not currently connected to the wastewater treatment system and to connect such community(ies) to one of its treatment facilities.

Defendants (2)

• Puerto Rico Aquaduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA V)Named in complaintNamed in settlement
• Puerto Rico, Commonweath of (The)Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (62)

• PRASA VIEQUES WWTP

  ROAD NO. 993, KM 2.5, VIEQUES, PR, 00765

  Registry ID: 110009814399

• PRASA BARCELONETA WWTP

  STATE ROAD 684, KM 3.7, BARCELONETA, PR, 00617

  Registry ID: 110006622609

• PRASA UTUADO

  RD 10 - KM 50.5, UTUADO, PR, 00761

  Registry ID: 110010785506

• PRASA COROZAL WWTP

  STATE ROAD NO 818, KM 0.9, COROZAL, PR, 00643

  Registry ID: 110006622690

• PRASA GUANICA WWTP

  YAGUER STREET, GUANICA, PR, 00653

  Registry ID: 110013696250

• PRASA LAS CAROLINAS WWTP

  PR-156 BO LAS CAROLINAS, CAGUAS, PR, 00725

  Registry ID: 110006622752

• PRASA MOROVIS WWTP

  STATE ROAD 155, KM 50, MOROVIS, PR, 00687

  Registry ID: 110009700234

• PRASA PONCE WWTP

  ROAD # 2 KM 258.5, PONCE, PR, 00731

  Registry ID: 110006622814

• PRASA FAJARDO STP

  STATE ROAD #941, FAJARDO, PR, 00648

  Registry ID: 110006622716

• PRASA AIBONITO WWTP

  ANTIOQUIA STREET, AIBONITO, PR, 00609

  Registry ID: 110006622583

• PRASA LAJAS WWTP

  PR ROAD #101, KM 2.4, LAJAS, PR, 00667

  Registry ID: 110009700225

• PRASA SABANA GRANDE WWTP

  GUANAJIBO RIV, SABANA GRANDE, PR, 00747

  Registry ID: 110013696223

• PRASA TOA ALTA WWTP

  STATE ROAD 676, KM 1.8, TOA ALTA, PR, 00758

  Registry ID: 110007804858

• PRASA EL TORITO

  MUNICIPALITY OF CAYEY, CAYEY, PR, 00633

  Registry ID: 110009814861

• PRASA NARANJITO WWTP

  STATE ROAD 164, KM 5.3, NARANJITO, PR, 00719

  Registry ID: 110009815423

• …and 47 more

Statutes cited

• CWA 301/402 — NPDES Permit Violations
• CWA 301 — NPDES Discharge without a Permit

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• PRASA V (Wastewater)entered 2007-01-10

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $1,000,000 · SEP: $2,636,747

Timeline (10 milestones)

• 2004-08-24Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 2004-08-24Referred To Headquarters
• 2004-08-24Referred TO U.S. Attorney
• 2004-09-15Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2006-06-22Final Order Lodged
• 2006-06-22Complaint Filed With Court
• 2007-01-10Concluded
• 2007-01-10Final Order Entered
• 2011-05-24Supplemental Referral-Other
• 2016-05-23Enforcement Action Closed