EPA v. PRASA Ponce Regional WWTP

Case summary

PRASA's bypass notifications and EPA inspections revealed that PRASA discharged pollutants (raw sewage) at a location other than the one authorized in the permit for a total period of 100 days. These discharges occurred on or about: January 4, 2001, March 8, 2001, August 20, 2003 through October 22, 2003, January 13-14, 2004 and from January 16, 2004 through February 16, 2004. During the March 8, 2001, August 20, 2003 and January 14, 2004, inspections, EPA observed that raw sewage was being discharged from the Canas Housing Development sanitary collection system. PRASA violated Section 301 of the Act, 33 U.S.C. ?1311, by failing to provide proper Operation and Maintenance, failing to provide notification to EPA of instances of non-compliance, and by discharging pollutants into waters of the United States without permitted authority to do so. This case was settled together with 10 other cases in one CA/FO. SEP included to implement Phase I of the Watershed Stewardship Program, pursuant to a Memorandum of Understanding signed on February 26, 2004.

Defendants (1)

• PRASA Ponce Regional WWTPNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• PRASA PONCE SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANT

  ROAD 2 KILOMETER 258.5, PONCE, PR, 00731

  Registry ID: 110006622814

Statutes cited

• CWA 301 — NPDES Discharge without a Permit

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• PRASA Ponce Regional WWTPentered 2006-03-28

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $25,137 · SEP: $857,156

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2004-09-30Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2004-10-12Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2006-03-28Final Order Issued