EPA v. FLORIDA WATER SERVICES (SOUTHERN STATES UTILITIES)

Case summary

THIS IS A CIVIL REFERRAL SEEKING PENALTIES AGAINST SOUTHERN STATES UTILITIES FOR NPDES PERMIT VIOLATIONS AT TWO OF ITS FLORIDA FACILITIES: SEABOARD UTILITIES WWTP AND UNIVERSITY SHORES WWTP. SSU OWNS AND OPERATES OVER 100 TREATMENT FACILITIES IN FLORIDA. SEABOARD DISCHARGED EFFLUENT IN VIOLATION OF ITS PERMIT TO THE TAMPA BAY WATERSHED WHICH IS BOTH A REGION IV GEOGRAPHICAL ENFORCEMENNT INITIATIVE AND PART OF THE NATIONAL ESTUARY PROGRAM. THE UNIVERSITY SHORES PLANT DISCHARGES INTO THE LITTLE ECONLOCKHATCHEE RIVER, AN OUTSTANDING FLORIDA WATER. NON-COMPLIANCE BEGAN IN 1988 (UNIVERSITY SHORES) AND 1990 (SEABOARD) AND CONTINUED UNTIL 1994. NEITHER PLANT HAD THE TREATMENT TECHNOLOGY IN PLACE THAT WOULD ALLOW IT TO MEET THE STRINGENT 309 PERMIT LIMITATIONS. BOTH FACILITIES HOOKED INTO NEARBY MUNICIPAL SEWAGE SYSTEMS.

Defendants (1)

• FLORIDA WATER SERVICESNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (2)

• SOUTHERN STATES UTIL UNIV SHOR

  2600 HARRELL RD, ORLANDO, FL, 32817

  Registry ID: 110010584242

• SEABOARD UTILITIES WWTP

  FISHLAKE RD & DARLINGTON, TAMPA, FL, 33607

  Registry ID: 110010584233

Statutes cited

• CWA 309 — Violation of Existing AO

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• FLORIDA WATER SERVICES (SOUTHERN STATES UTILITIES)entered 1998-05-20

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $200,000

Timeline (7 milestones)

• 1988-09-01Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 1995-05-23Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 1998-05-20Final Order Lodged
• 1998-05-20Final Order Entered
• 1998-05-20Complaint Filed With Court
• 1998-05-20Concluded
• 2004-11-08Enforcement Action Closed