EPA v. TARWATER OIL AND GAS, AN OKLAHOMA CORPORATION

Case summary

1. SECTIONS 308(A) AND 309(A) OF THE CLEAN WATER ACT ( CWA ) 33 U.S.C. SECTIONS 1318(A) AND 1319(A). 2. TARWATER OIL AND GAS, AN OKLAHOMA CORPORATION NE/4, SECTION 17, TOWNSHIP 15 NORTH, RANGE 13 EAST HENRYETTA, OKMULGEE COUNTY, OKLAHOMA 74437 3. RESPONDENT WAS IN VIOLATION OF SECTION 301 OF THE CWA BY THE ILLEGAL DISCHARGE OF POLLUTANTS (BRINE) FROM ITS FACILITY INTO WATERS OF THE U.S. 4. RELIEF SOUGHT PURSUANT TO SECTIONS 308(A) AND 309(A) OF THE CWA, EPA ISSUED AN ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER (AO) THAT ORDERED THE RESPONDENT TO IMMEDIATELY CEASE THE DISCHARGE OF POLLUTANTS IMMEDIATELY AND: A) WITHIN 30 DAYS, TAKE THE FOLLOWING ACTIONS: 1) FLUSH THE CHANNEL DRAINING INTO THE TRIBUTARY OF SNAKE CREEK WITH FRESH WATER, COLLECT THE FLUSH WATER, REMOVE IT, AND PROPERLY DISPOSE OF IT, AND 2) PREVENT FURTHER DISCHARGE OF POLLUTANTS FROM THE AREA CONTAMINATED BY THE BRINE DISCHARGES AND NEUTRALIZE THE CONTAMINATED AREA SURROUNDING AND DOWN GRADIENT OF THE TANK BATTERY; AND B) UPON COMPLETING THE TASKS SPECIFIED AND WITHIN 30 DAYS, SCHEDULE AND MEET WITH AN EPA FIELD INSPECTOR TO CONFIRM THAT THE TASKS HAVE BEEN COMPLETED.

Defendants (1)

• TARWATER OIL AND GASNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• TARWATER OIL AND GAS

  NE/4, SECTION 17, TOWNSHIP 15 N, RANGE 13 E, HENRYETTA, OK, 74437

  Registry ID: 110013720982

Statutes cited

• CWA 301 — NPDES Discharge without a Permit

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• TARWATER OIL AND GASentered 2002-05-31

  Primary law: CWA

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2002-05-31Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2002-05-31Final Order Issued
• 2002-06-10Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2003-09-17Enforcement Action Closed