EPA v. Colorado Department of Corrections

Case summary

EPA requests that DOJ initiate civil judicial proceedings against the Colorado Department of Corrections for alleged violations of the Clean Water Act. DOC is a significant industrial user discharging to the City of Sterling's wastewater treatment plant. Sterling has issued an industrial user discharge permit to DOC including limits for parameters such as BOD, TSS, ammonia, chloride, oil and grease and pH. Since the permit became effective 6/1/1999, DOC has experienced 2,459 exceedances of its permit limits. In addition, DOC has failed to respond to 1,832 Notices of Violation issued by Sterling regarding these violations.

Defendants (1)

• Colorado Department of CorrectionsNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• STATE OF COLORADO DEPARTMENT OF CORRECTIONS

  12101 HIGHWAY 61, STERLING, CO, 80751

  Registry ID: 110006000683

Statutes cited

• CWA 301/307 — Effluent Limitations - NPDES Toxic & Pretreatment Effluent Standards

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Colorado Department of Correctionsentered 2007-10-02

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $12,686 · State/local: $37,314 · SEP: $225,000

Timeline (6 milestones)

• 2004-03-02Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 2004-03-16Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2007-08-23Final Order Lodged
• 2007-08-23Complaint Filed With Court
• 2007-10-02Final Order Entered
• 2011-07-31Enforcement Action Closed