EPA v. CHARLES TOWN, CITY OF (CHARLES TOWN WWTP)

Case summary

On October 12, 2023, EPA Region III entered into an Administrative Order on Consent, with the City of Charles Town, WV, and the Charles Town Utility Board, Charles Town, WV, addressing CWA NPDES Permit Violations at the Charles Town Wastewater Treatment Plant (the Charles Town WWTP) and the Tuscawilla Wastewater Treatment Plant (the Tuscawilla WWTP). The AOC sets forth several significant violations of the CWA and extensive injunctive relief intended to achieve future compliance with the CWA. The cited violations include: a) failure to comply with effluent discharge limitations, as set forth in an applicable NPDES Permit, during 2018 through 2022 and b) failure to maintain and operate the Charles Town WWTP in accordance with an applicable NPDES Permit, as documented in a September 20, 2021, inspection report, which EPA issued to the Respondents. The required injunctive relief includes numerous projects or areas of work at the Charles Town WWTP and the Tuscawilla WWTP, related to achieving compliance with the currently applicable NPDES Permit. EPA Region III has consulted with WVDEP regarding this investigation and the scope of this AOC.

Defendants (2)

• TUSCAWILLA WWTPNamed in settlement
• CHARLES TOWN WWTPNamed in settlement

Facilities (3)

• TUSCAWILLA WWTP

  TUSCAWILLA DR, CHARLES TOWN, WV, 25414

  Registry ID: 110071091382

• CHARLES TOWN UTILITY BOARD

  661 SOUTH GEORGE STREET, SUITE 101, CHARLES TOWN, WV, 25414

  Registry ID: 110039979761

• CHARLES TOWN UTILITY BOARD

  832 SOUTH GEORGE ST, CHARLES TOWN, WV, 25414

  Registry ID: 110071523661

Statutes cited

• CWA 301/402 — NPDES Permit Violations

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• CHARLES TOWN, CITY OF (CHARLES TOWN WWTP)entered 2023-10-11

  Primary law: CWA

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2023-10-11Final Order Issued
• 2023-10-31Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2025-10-15NPDES Closed
• 2025-10-15Enforcement Action Closed