EPA v. NEW ULM, MINNESOTA, CITY OF

Case summary

RESPONDENT IS A MUNICIPALITY THAT OWNS AND OPERATES A WASTE- WATER TREATMENT FACILITY IN NEW ULM. MINNESOTA. RESPON- DENT'S WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY COLLECTS AND TREATS WASTEWATER FROM DOMESTIC, COMMERCIAL AND INDUSTRIAL SOURCES. AS A RESULT OF ITS OPERATIONS, THE RESPONDENT'S WASTEWATER TREATMENT FACILITY PRODUCES SEWAGE SLUDGE AS A LIQUID, SEMI- SOLID OR LIQUID RESIDUE. RESPONDENT COMMENCED TREATMENT OF SEWAGE SLUDGE PRIOR TO FEBRUARY 19, 1993, THE DATE OF PUBLI- CATION OF THE STANDARDS FOR THE USE OR DISPOSAL OF SEWER SLUDGE CODIFIED AT 40 C.F.R. PART 503 AND PROMULGATED UNDER THE AUTHORITY OF SECTION 405(D) OF THE ACT, 33 U.S.C. 1345(D), AND IS THEREFORE AN EXISTING TREATMENT WORK TREAT- ING SEWAGE SLUDGE. DURING THE PERIOD FROM DECEMBER 1995 TO APRIL 1996, RESPONDENT HAD SEWAGE SLUDGE LAND APPLIED AT VARIOUS PROPERTIES. RESPONDENT'S LAND APPLICATION OF THE SEWAGE SLUDGE DID NOT MEET THE VECTOR ATTRACTION REQUIRE- MENTS FOR SEVERAL MONTHS AND CONSTITUTED VIOLATIONS OF SECTION 405 OF THE ACT, 33 U.S.C. 1345 AND THE REGULATIONS PROMULGATED THEREUNDER. DURING MARCH 1995, RESPONDENT HAD SEWAGE SLUDGE LAND APPLIED AT VARIOUS PROPERTIES. RESPONDENT'S LAND APPLICATION OF THE SEWAGE SLUDGE NOT MEET- ING THE PATHOGEN REDUCTION REQUIREMENTS DURING THIS MONTH CONSTITUTED VIOLATIONS OF SECTION 405 OF THE ACT, 33 U.S.C. 1345 AND THE REGULATIONS PROMULGATED THEREUNDER.

Defendants (1)

• NEW ULMNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• NEW ULM, MN CITY OF

  100 N. BROADWAY; CITY HALL, NEW ULM, MN, 56073

  Registry ID: 110010742982

Statutes cited

• CWA 405 — Sewage Sludge Disposal

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• NEW ULM, MINNESOTA, CITY OFentered 2001-01-11

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $3,150

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2001-01-11Final Order Issued
• 2001-01-11Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2001-02-20Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2002-03-21Enforcement Action Closed