EPA v. TOWN OF COULEE DAM (ACO)

Case summary

On September 28, 2023, Region 10 issued an administrative order on consent to the town of Coulee Dam for its Wastewater Treatment Plant in Coulee Dam, Washington. The town of Coulee Dam failed to submit Discharge Monitoring Reports, failed to submit permit-required notifications like the development and implementation of an Operations and Maintenance Plan, failed to apply for a new permit on time or supply the correct latitude and longitude of their outfall. Importantly, the town also failed to submit these required records to the Confederated Tribes of the Colville Reservation, as their permit requires. The Coulee Dam Wastewater Treatment Plant discharges treated wastewater into the Columbia River, an interstate river important to commerce and treaty fishing rights. To return to compliance, the Respondent has agreed to conduct an outfall study, institute administrative and managerial controls to ensure the timely submittal of required documentation and invest in staff power to ensure tasks are completed in a timely fashion. The estimated cost of implementing this injunctive relief is $25,000. These actions will help ensure the town?s plant operates effectively to treat municipal wastewater and not degrade the Columbia River. Respondent has also agreed to pay a penalty of $70,881. The facility lies within the exterior boundaries of the Colville Reservation, and EPA worked with Colville staff to ensure the facility submitted all required documentation to them as required by the permit.

Defendants (1)

• TOWN OF COULEE DAMNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• COULEE DAM, TOWN OF - COULEE DAM WWTP

  KIT ROAD, COULEE DAM, WA, 99116

  Registry ID: 110011559599

Statutes cited

• CWA 301/402 — NPDES Permit Violations

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• TOWN OF COULEE DAM (ACO)entered 2023-09-28

  Primary law: CWA

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2023-07-31Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2023-09-28Final Order Issued
• 2023-09-28Complaint Filed/Proposed Order