EPA v. TAFTON WATER COMPANY

Case summary

TAFTON HAS CONSISTENTLY FAILED TO PERFORM MONITORING AND REPORTING OBLIGATIONS PURSUANT TO THE SDWA & THE APPROVED PA DRINKING WATER PROGRAM. THE SYSTEM ALSO FAILED TO COMPLY WITH AN ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLIANCE ORDER ISSUED OCT. 27, 1997 IN SEPTEMBER 1998, EPA REGION III REFERRED VIOLATIONS OF THE SDWA AT THE TAFTON WATER SYSTEM IN THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF JUSTICE. THERE ARE 5 TYPES OF VIOLATIONS OF THE SDWA AT ISSUE: 1) FAILURE TO MONITOR THE DRINKING WATER SYSTEM FOR CONTAMINANTS 2) FAILURE TO REPORT MONITORING VIOLATIONS 3) FAILURE TO NOTIFY THE PUBLIC OF MONITORING VIOLATIONS 4) FAILURE TO MONITOR ADEQUATE CHLORINATION TREATMENT AND 5) FAILURE TO EMPLOY A CERTIFIED OPERATOR. ONLY RICHARD FREEMAN'S RESPONSE TO COMPLAINT, WHICH WAS FILED ON FEBRUARY 28, 1999, WAS RECEIVED. RICHARD FREEMAN ENTERED INTO A CONSENT DECREE. A MOTION FOR DEFAULT JUDGEMENT WAS GRANTED ON MAY 24, 1999 AND AN ORDER WAS ISSUED REQUIRING THE DEFENDANTS TO PROVIDE A SCHEDULE OF REQUIRED ACTIVITIES. ON JUNE 4, 1999, THE UNITED STATES SENT LETTERS TO THE DEFENDANTS ADVISING THEM OF THE COURT'S MAY 24, 1999 ORDER. EPA NOW REQUESTS THAT U.S. DOJ FILE A MOTION SEEKING AN ORDER TO SHOW CAUSE WHY THE DEFENDANTS SHOULD NOT BE HELD IN CIVIL CONTEMPT.

Defendants (5)

• FREEMAN, AILEEN
• FREEMAN, RICHARDNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• PUBLIC SERVICE WATER COMPANYNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• TAFTON WATER COMPANY, INC.Named in complaintNamed in settlement
• WINTON CONSOLIDATED COMPANIES, INC.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• TAFTON WATER SYS

  ROUTE 6, PALMYRA TWP, PA, 18428

  Registry ID: 110010188938

Statutes cited

• SDWA 1412/1414 — National Drinking Water Regulations

Enforcement conclusions (2)

• TAFTON WATER COMPANYentered 2001-01-30

  Primary law: SDWA

  Federal penalty: $100,000

• TAFTON WATER COMPANYentered 1999-09-02

  Primary law: SDWA

Timeline (6 milestones)

• 1998-09-30Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 1998-10-01Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 1999-02-17Complaint Filed With Court
• 2000-10-30Final Order Lodged
• 2001-01-30Final Order Entered
• 2011-08-23Enforcement Action Closed