EPA v. PADEN CITY, CITY OF PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM

Case summary

On April 16, 2025, Region 3 and City of Paden City ( Paden City ) Public Water System agreed to an Administrative Order on Consent ( Order ). EPA had originally identified 27 violations in a Notice of Violation of March 27, 2025, that EPA sent to Paden City along with a detailed list of recommendations. This Order covers the remaining 15 violations that Paden City continues to work to correct. Paden City's Public Water System is impacted by tetrachloroethylene contamination and was added to EPA's Superfund National Priorities List on March 2022. West Virginia Department of Health (WVDH) required Paden City to install an air stripper to remove PCE from the finished water in May 2020, but Paden City failed to properly operate and provide a backup power source for the air stripper. The cited violations include, but are not limited to, failure to properly maintain an air stripper needed to remove PCE from drinking water to a level below the maximum contaminant, failure to ensure the provision of safe, adequate, and continuous drinking water service by connecting the air stripper to emergency power, and failure to provide for continuous disinfection. EPA has consulted with WVDH during the development of this action.

Defendants (1)

• PADEN CITY, CITY OF PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMNamed in settlement

Facilities (2)

• PADEN CITY, CITY OF-TREATMENT PLANT

  PADEN CITY, WV, 26159

  Registry ID: 110013038462

• PADEN CITY, CITY OF PUBLIC WATER SYSTEM

  208 W. MAIN ST, PADEN CITY, WV, 26159

  Registry ID: 110072172446

Statutes cited

• SDWA 1412 — Nat'l Drinking Water Compliance Schedule - Effective Date

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• PADEN CITY, CITY OF PUBLIC WATER SYSTEMentered 2026-04-16

  Primary law: SDWA

Timeline (2 milestones)

• 2026-04-16Final Order Issued
• 2026-04-21Enforcement Action Data Entered