EPA v. Lost Creek Ranch

Case summary

The EPA has determined that conditions exist at the System that may present an imminent and substantial endangerment to the health of humans, based on the facts indicated in paragraphs 11 and 12, below. The EPA has determined that this Order is necessary to protect public health. E. coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may have been contaminated with human or animal wastes. Human pathogens in these wastes can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a greater health risk for infants, young children, some of the elderly, and people with severely compromised immune systems. On August 01, 2019, the EPA was notified that a routine bacteriological sample collected from the System on July 29, 2019 , was analyzed as positive for total coliform. On August 01, 2019, the EPA was notified that two repeat bacteriological samples (see 40 C.F.R. ? 141.858), collected on July 31, 2019, tested positive for total coliform and E. coli. In addition, a violation of the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for E. coli occurs if a system has any combination of a total coliform positive and E. coli positive routine and repeat samples. These circumstances have occurred at the System, as set forth in paragraph 11, above, and, therefore, Respondents have violated the E. coli MCL. 40 C.F.R. ? 141.860. On August 1, 2019 , the EPA provided Respondents with a public notice template for a boil water advisory and Respondents notified persons served by the System of the contamination on August 1, 2019

Defendants (1)

• Lost Creek RanchNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• LOST CREEK RANCH-WELL HOUSE CHLORINATOR

  P.O. BOX 95, MOOSE, WY, 83012

  Registry ID: 110050780222

Statutes cited

• SDWA 1431-PWS — Emergency Powers/PWS

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Lost Creek Ranchentered 2019-08-02

  Primary law: SDWA

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2019-08-02Final Order Issued
• 2019-09-06Enforcement Action Closed
• 2019-09-17Enforcement Action Data Entered