EPA v. MID-CENTRE COUNTY AUTHORITY (MID-CENTRE COUNTY AUTHORITY WWTP)

Case summary

On February 13, 2024, the Regional Judicial Officer executed a Final Order ratifying the Consent Agreement entered into by the Director of ECAD and Mid-Centre County Authority ( Respondent ) for violations of its NPDES permit (NPDES Permit #PA0110965) effluent discharge limitations at the Mid-Centre County Authority Wastewater Treatment Plant ( WWTP located in Milesburg, PA (the Facility ). Respondent is the owner and operator of the WWTP that discharges treated domestic wastewater from the Facility into an unnamed tributary to Bald Eagle Creek that ultimately discharges to the West Branch Susquehanna River, which are jurisdictional waters of the United States within the meaning of 33 U.S.C. 1362(7). Respondent had twenty-four (24) permit effluent limit exceedances from the Facility from September 2018 through September 2022 consisting of 5-day carbonaceous biochemical oxygen demand, suspended solids, fecal coliform, ammonia-nitrogen, and total phosphorous. In addition, the Respondent failed to comply with the whole effluent toxicity testing and reporting requirements of the Permit. Under the terms of the Consent Agreement and Final Order, Respondent will pay a civil penalty of $17,500. EPA has coordinated with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection throughout the enforcement process. The EJSCREEN assessment indicates that the Facility is NOT located in an area of potential EJ concern. This Consent Agreement and Final Order initiates and concludes this penalty action.

Defendants (1)

• MID-CENTRE COUNTY AUTHORITYNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (2)

• MID-CENTRE COUNTY AUTHORITY WWTP

  296 MID CENTRE LANE, MILESBURG, PA, 16853

  Registry ID: 110009815931

• MID-CENTRE CNTY AUTH

  PO BOX 811, MILESBURG, PA, 16853-0811

  Registry ID: 110009815931

Statutes cited

• CWA 301/307 — Effluent Limitations - NPDES Toxic & Pretreatment Effluent Standards

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• MID-CENTRE COUNTY AUTHORITY (MID-CENTRE COUNTY AUTHORITY WWTP)entered 2024-02-13

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $17,500

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2024-02-13Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2024-02-13Final Order Issued
• 2024-02-21Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2024-03-20Enforcement Action Closed