EPA v. METROPOLITAN DENVER SEWAGE DISPOSAL

Case summary

THE ACTION IS TO BE BROUGHT PURSUANT TO 309 OF THE CLEAN WATER ACT, 33 U.S.C. 1319, FOR SIGNIFICANT NPDES PERMIT VIOLATIONS AND DISCHARGES WITHOUT A PERMIT. METRO IS A SPECIAL SERVICE DISTRICT CREATED UNDER STATE LAW BY THE CITIES OF DENVER, AURORA, AND SOME 18 OTHER MUNICIPALITIES IN THE DENVER METROPOLITAN AREA TO PROVIDE REGIONAL SEWER SERVICE. IN ADDITION, METRO PROVIDES SERVICE TO MORE THAN 20 OTHER SUBURBAN SPECIAL SERVICE DISTRICTS. METRO IS THE LARGEST POTW IN REGION VIII WITH A CAPACITY OF 185 MGD AND A SERVICE SIZE OF 1.4 MILLION USERS. THIS ENFORCEMENT ACTION IS BEING INITIATED IN RESPONSE TO OVER FIVE YEARS OF PERSISTENT AND SIGNIFICANT NON-COMPLIANCE WITH CERTAIN PERMIT PARAMETERS, VIZ., TOTAL RESIDUAL CHLORINE, FECAL COLIFORMS AND OIL & GREASE. EPA WILL BE SEEKING AT LEAST $2.22 MILLION IN CIVIL PENALTIES AND SUBSTANTIAL INJUNCTIVE RELIEF TO ENSURE METRO WILL MEET CURRENT AND FUTURE WATER QUALITY STANDARDS.

Defendants (7)

• BURLINGTON DITCH COMPANYNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• COLORADO, STATE OFNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• DENVER, CITY & COUNTY (DWB)Named in complaintNamed in settlement
• FARMERS RESERVIOR & IRRIGATION COMPANYNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• HENRYLYN DITCH COMPANYNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• METROPOLITAN DENVER SEWAGE DISPOSAL DISTNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• THORNTON, CITY OFNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (6)

• METRO WASTEWATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT

  6450 YORK STREET, DENVER, CO, 802297499

  Registry ID: 110055971998

• METRO WASTEWATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT

  6450 YORK STREET, DENVER, CO, 802297499

  Registry ID: 110055971998

• METRO WASTEWATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT

  6450 YORK STREET, DENVER, CO, 802297499

  Registry ID: 110055971998

• METRO WASTEWATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT

  6450 YORK STREET, DENVER, CO, 802297499

  Registry ID: 110055971998

• METRO WASTEWATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT

  6450 YORK STREET, DENVER, CO, 802297499

  Registry ID: 110055971998

• METRO WASTEWATER RECLAMATION DISTRICT

  6450 YORK STREET, DENVER, CO, 802297499

  Registry ID: 110055971998

Statutes cited

• CWA 301/307 — Effluent Limitations - NPDES Toxic & Pretreatment Effluent Standards
• CWA 301 — NPDES Discharge without a Permit

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• METROPOLITAN DENVER SEWAGEentered 1989-08-17

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $1,125,000

Timeline (8 milestones)

• 1985-08-29Referred To Headquarters
• 1985-10-11Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 1985-12-02Referred TO U.S. Attorney
• 1986-03-20Complaint Filed With Court
• 1989-08-17Final Order Lodged
• 1989-08-17Final Order Entered
• 1989-08-17Concluded
• 1992-03-17Enforcement Action Closed