EPA v. MARION COUNTY WATER SYSTEM

Case summary

SEPTEMBER 02, 2026 - ADMINISTRATIVE COMPLIANCE ORDER This Administrative Compliance Order (Order) is issued to Marion County Public Water System (Respondent) pursuant to the authority vested in the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) by Section 1414(g) of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA), 42 U.S.C 300g-3(g). The Administrator has delegated this authority to the Regional Administrator of EPA Region 4, who has, in turn, delegated this authority to the Director of the Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. Respondent owns and/or operates the Marion County public water system (PWS), located in Buena Vista, Marion County, Georgia, PWS ID No. GA1970003. Respondent's PWS provides water for human consumption to a population of approximately 5,705 people. Respondent's PWS provides piped water for human consumption and regularly serves at least 15 service connections used by year-round residents and/or at least 25 year-round residents and is therefore a public water system as defined by Section 1401(4) of the SDWA, 42 U.S.C. 300f(4), and 40 C.F.R. 141.2, and is also a community water system (CWS) as defined by Section 1401(15) of the SDWA, 42 U.S.C. 300f(15), and 40 C.F.R. 141.2. On October 7, 2025, the EPA completed an onsite inspection of Respondent?s public water system. During the onsite inspection, the EPA requested that Respondent produce its RRA, which it was required to maintain pursuant to Section 1433(d) of the SDWA, 42 U.S.C. 300i-2(d). Despite having certified to the EPA that it had completed an RRA, Respondent was unable to produce the RRA and has been unable to produce the RRA to date. During the onsite inspection, the EPA requested that Respondent produce its ERP, which it was required to maintain pursuant to Section 1433(d) of the SDWA, 42 U.S.C. 300i-2(d). Despite having certified to the EPA that it had completed an ERP, Respondent was unable to produce the ERP and has been unable to produce the ERP to date. Therefore, the EPA alleges that Respondent failed to comply with Sections 1433(a) and (b) of the SDWA, 42 U.S.C. 300i-2(a) and (b), by failing to develop an RRA and ERP. Furthermore, the Respondent has not provided an RRA or ERP to the EPA to date. Based on the foregoing FINDINGS, and pursuant to the authority of Section 1414(g) of the SDWA, 42 U.S.C. 300g-3(g), the EPA is issuing this Order, to place the Respondent on an enforceable schedule to comply with Section 1433 of the SDWA, 42 U.S.C. 300i-2. The EPA hereby ORDERS: Within 30 days of the Effective Date of this Order, Respondent shall develop an RRA and ERP which includes all of the requirements. Within 30 days of the Effective Date of this Order, Respondent shall schedule a meeting with EPA to present evidence of the completed RRA and ERP. At the time of the meeting and in the presence of EPA, Respondent shall also submit evidence supporting its certification of the completion of its RRA and ERP, as required by Sections 1433(a) and (b) of the SDWA, 42 U.S.C. 300i-2(a) and (b).

Defendants (1)

• MARION COUNTY WATER SYSTEMNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• MARION COUNTY WATER SYSTEM

  GA

  Registry ID: 110013134107

Statutes cited

• SDWA 1433 — Intentional Acts

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• MARION COUNTY WATER SYSTEMentered 2026-09-02

  Primary law: SDWA

Timeline (2 milestones)

• 2026-09-02Final Order Issued
• 2026-09-08Enforcement Action Data Entered