EPA v. CITY OF DRIGGS

Case summary

On November 20, 2025, the US District Court for the District of Idaho granted the United States? unopposed motion to enter the consent decree in the United States v. the City of Driggs, Idaho, and the State of Idaho. The consent decree resolves claims that the City of Driggs violated their NPDES permit and therefore the CWA at its wastewater treatment plant in Driggs, Idaho between July 2017 and July 2022. The City's violations include exceedances of its NPDES permit effluent limits and non-effluent limit violations. The City also failed to meet compliance obligations it committed to in a 2018 legal agreement with EPA. Under the terms of the consent decree, the City committed to completing a major upgrade of its wastewater treatment plant by December 15, 2028. In addition to the upgrade, the City will also conduct collection system monitoring, including monitoring flow from the city of Victor that contributes wastewater to the Driggs wastewater treatment plant; sample influent to the treatment plant and sample effluent from the lagoon monthly; annually measure the amount of sewage sludge in the lagoons and manage sludge as needed; continue its efforts to locate and quantify sources of inflow and infiltration during periods of high groundwater levels; develop a staffing plan and hire sufficient staff; and every three months, submit a report describing progress and challenges in meeting the consent decree requirements. The City also agreed to pay a penalty of $400,000. This settlement will result in significant reductions in the ammonia loading to the Teton River watershed.

Defendants (1)

• CITY OF DRIGGSNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• DRIGGS, CITY OF - DRIGGS WWTP

  1250 WEST WEST BATES RO, DRIGGS, ID, 83422

  Registry ID: 110010027309

Statutes cited

• CWA 301/402 — NPDES Permit Violations
• CWA 309 — Violation of Existing AO

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• CITY OF DRIGGSentered 2025-11-20

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $400,000

Timeline (5 milestones)

• 2021-12-02Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2021-12-27Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 2022-10-24Complaint Filed With Court
• 2025-01-15Final Order Lodged
• 2025-11-20Final Order Entered