EPA v. CJT GROUP, LLC, JAMES BOWMAN WILEY, JR.

Case summary

AUGUST 27, 2024 - EMERGENCY ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER During an inspection on June 27, 2024, the EPA identified the following preliminary concerns related to bacterial contamination and proper disinfection: a. Liquid chlorine dosing equipment was found to have been offline for an unknown and unverifiable period of time at Arlington Terrace, Koinonia Village, and Towerview. Despite the fact the chlorine dosing equipment was inoperable, water was still being supplied to customers from these three systems. Holes in the sanitary seals of the wells were observed at Arlington Terrace and Towerview. The screen vent riser pipe at Well 102 at Arlington Terrace was not installed, leaving a hole in the well cover plate. There was also a gap between the cover plate and discharge head at Well 102 at Arlington Terrace. The cover plate at the well at Towerview was improperly sealed. Holes in the sanitary seal of the wells may act as pathways for contamination to enter the raw water and are also noncompliant. On July 18, 2024, GA EPD visited the Systems and measured the free chlorine residual and pressure at each System. Liquid chlorine dosing equipment was found to be offline for an unknown and unverifiable period of time at Koinonia Forest Park. Despite the fact that the chlorine dosing equipment was inoperable, water was still being supplied to customers from this System. Failure to have the chlorine dosing equipment operable is a violation. The measured water pressure at the finished water sampling tap at Arlington Terrace, Graystone Village, and Koinonia Forest Park was relatively low, at twenty-one (21) psi, twenty-five (25) psi, and twenty-eight (28) psi, respectively. Loss of pressure was reported at Towerview on July 16, 2024. A system-wide outage and ongoing pressure issues were reported at Koinonia Forest Park on July 9, 2024. Low water pressure was also reported at Koinonia Forest Park on April 11, 2024. A system-wide outage was reported at Graystone Village on January 18, 2024. On July 3, 2024, GA EPD issued Notices of Violation for failure to continuously chlorinate the water to maintain a detectable residual of free chlorine of at least 0.2 mg/L at Arlington Terrace, Koinonia Village, Southern Hills, and Towerview. On July 3, 2024, GA EPD also issued Notices of Violation for failure to properly seal well cover plates at Arlington Terrace and Towerview. However, GA EPD?s follow-up visit on July 18, 2024, confirmed that Respondent has not taken action to correct the chlorination or properly sealing the well cover plates, resulting in the inadequate protection of the health of the Systems? users. GA EPD confirmed with the EPA on August 19, 2024, that the Respondent has not complied, requiring public notification to be performed as soon as practical, but no later than 30 days after the Respondent learns of the violations. Violations were issued to the Respondent on July 3, 2024. The EPA consulted with the Respondent and GA EPD during the June 27, 2024, inspection to confirm the information on which this Order is based and to ascertain the action which either party were or would be taking. The EPA further consulted with GA EPD on July 1, 2024, July 17, 2024, and July 29, 2024, to confirm the information in this Order. Based on the findings above, the EPA has determined that the Systems have violated the SDWA, including violations of the NPDWRs. Despite actions taken by GA EPD, Respondent has not undertaken all actions necessary to protect the public health and conditions exist at the Systems that may present an imminent and substantial endangerment to the health of persons served by the Systems. On July 29, 2024, GA EPD submitted a written request for the EPA to assist with addressing the Systems? SDWA noncompliance. The EPA has therefore determined that the actions specified in this Order are necessary to protect public health.

Defendants (2)

• JAMES BOWMAN WILEY, JR.Named in settlement
• CJT GROUP, LLCNamed in settlement

Facilities (6)

• GRAYSTONE VILLAGE-OAK CREST WELL PLANT

  201 CULPEPPER STREET, THOMASVILLE, GA, 31792

  Registry ID: 110013126704

• ARLINGTON TERRACE MHP

  AMERICUS, GA

  Registry ID: 110013129630

• TOWERVIEW SUBDIVISION

  Registry ID: 110071702643

• KOINONIA VILLAGE

  GA

  Registry ID: 110013129587

• KOINONIA-FOREST PARK

  GA

  Registry ID: 110013129514

• SOUTHERN HILLS MHP-LAKE RIDGE DR/NEAR LOT 122 WELL #1 PLANT

  201 CULPEPPER STREET, THOMASVILLE, GA, 31792

  Registry ID: 110013129676

Statutes cited

• SDWA 1431-PWS — Emergency Powers/PWS

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• CJT GROUP, LLC, JAMES BOWMAN WILEY, JR.entered 2024-08-27

  Primary law: SDWA

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2024-08-27Final Order Issued
• 2024-09-04Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2025-06-10Enforcement Action Closed