EPA v. San Miguel County (NM0028363)

Case summary

The County operates a housing facility for 34 units that has basically been abandoned for 9 years other than a care taker. The State of New Mexico performed an NPDES inspection Dec. 9, 2002 and discovered the violations. The wastewater treatment plant has not been maintained and the county is not taking samples or reporting them as required by their NPDES permit. Basically, no records have been maintained since 1994. Facility is still discharging inadequately treated sanitary wastewater to an unclassified and unnamed ephemeral stream, thence to the Pecos River, with designated uses for livestock watering and wildlife habitat. The County Manager has given an oral commitment to EPA that they are trying to sell the property in the near future as a way to bring the county into compliance and that they have contracted with the City of Ribera to provide technical assistance through their wastewater treatment plant operators. EPA expects the discharge to come into compliance or the discharge terminated either by the county or the new owner.

Defendants (1)

• San Miguel CountyNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• SAN MIGUEL CO-OPERATION BREAK

  0.9 MILES SOUTH OF HWY 25 AND, SAN MIGUEL, NM, 87701

  Registry ID: 110009148485

Statutes cited

• CWA 301/402 — NPDES Permit Violations

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• San Miguel Countyentered 2003-02-07

  Primary law: CWA

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2003-01-27Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2003-02-07Final Order Issued
• 2009-07-01Enforcement Action Closed