EPA v. PRASA VI (Backwash)

Case summary

VIOLATIONS OF CWA AT 133 WATER TREATMENT PLANTS THROUGHOUT PUERTO RICO. ONLY 93 PLANTS HAVE NPDES PERMITS FOR THEIR FILTER BACKWASH DISCHARGES. THE REMAINING PLANTS ARE OPERATING WITHOUT A PERMIT. RECOMMEND ACTION BE TAKEN TO SECURE INJUNCTIVE RELIEF REQUIRING THE DEFENDANT TO OBTAIN NPDES PERMITS FOR THOSE PLANTS NOT CURRENTLY PERMITTED, 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, TO SUBMIT ACCURATE DISCHARGE MONITORING REPORTS FOR ALL PERMITTED PLANTS AND TO OBTAIN A PENALTY FOR THE VIOLATIONS THAT HAVE OCCURRED. Modification entered on 08/29/2012.

Defendants (2)

• PRASANamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• The Commonwealth of Puerto RicoNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (165)

• PRASA MONTE DEL ESTADO WTP

  ROAD 366, KM 11, MARICAO, PR, 00606

  Registry ID: 110010602696

• PRASA CAYEY WTP

  STATE ROAD NO 1 - KM 59.9, CAYEY, PR, 00633

  Registry ID: 110009436066

• PRASA MAMEYES ABAJO WTP

  PR - 141, KM. 19.1, UTUADO, PR, 00641

  Registry ID: 110013695750

• PRASA CANALIZO WTP

  ROAD 140, KM. 13.4, JAUCA WARD, JAYUYA, PR, 00664

  Registry ID: 110037119622

• PRASA MIRADERO WTP

  ROAD 108, KM 2.8, MAYAGUEZ, PR, 00680

  Registry ID: 110064615028

• PRASA LA PICA WTP

  ROAD 143, KM. 5.5, LA PICA WARD, JAYUYA, PR, 00664

  Registry ID: 110064621574

• PRASA LA BOCA - BARRANQUITAS WTP

  ROAD 749 KM 0.1 INTERIOR, LA BOCA SECTOR AT QUEBRA, BARRANQUITAS, PR, 00734

  Registry ID: 110022428577

• PRASA CAGUAS NORTE WTP

  ANTIGUA PTA. ALC. (ALLADO DE SAL SOUL), CAGUAS, PR, 00725

  Registry ID: 110000561062

• PRASA LA PICA FILTER PLANT

  CARR 143 KM 5.3, JAYUYA, PR, 00664

  Registry ID: 110004887953

• PRASA ZARZAL

  STATE ROAD 3 R 955 KM 3.5, RIO GRANDE, PR, 00721

  Registry ID: 110013065226

• PRASA ADJUNTAS WTP

  ROAD 518 KM 0 HM 1, ADJUNTAS, PR, 00601

  Registry ID: 110009700298

• PRASA MAGINAS WTP

  PR 121 KM 4.3, MAGINAS SECTOR AT RAYO WARD, SABANA GRANDE, PR, 00637

  Registry ID: 110064649108

• PRASA-CULEBRA DESALINIZATION PLANT

  STREET #250, CULEBRA ISLAND, PR, 00775

  Registry ID: 110009814219

• PRASA WTP GUAMANA FILTER PLANT

  ROAD 179, KM 5, GUAYAMA, PR, 00654

  Registry ID: 110013696474

• PRASA OROCOVIS WTP

  ROAD 568, KM 3, OROCOVIS, PR, 00720

  Registry ID: 110000561259

• …and 150 more

Statutes cited

• SDWA 1414G — PWS - Violation of 1414(g) AO
• CWA 308 — Information Request, Records, Entry
• SDWA 1412/1414 — National Drinking Water Regulations
• CWA 301 — NPDES Discharge without a Permit

Enforcement conclusions (2)

• PRASA VI (Backwash)entered 2010-08-24

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $1,024,427 · SEP: $2,524,000

• PRASA VI (Backwash)entered 2012-08-29

  Primary law: CWA

Timeline (8 milestones)

• 2004-09-24Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 2004-09-30Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2008-03-14Supplemental Referral-Other
• 2010-05-03Complaint Filed With Court
• 2012-05-31Supplemental Referral-Other
• 2012-06-29Final Order Lodged
• 2012-08-29Final Order Entered
• 2016-05-23Enforcement Action Closed