EPA v. TOWN OF COULEE DAM (CAFO)

Case summary

On October 24, 2023, Region 10 filed a consent agreement and final order resolving violations of the Clean Water Act by 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. The Respondent has agreed to pay a penalty of $70,881 and has returned to compliance. The estimated cost of implementing this injunctive relief is $10,000. The facility lies within the exterior boundaries of the Colville Reservation, an area with environmental justice concerns.

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 (CAFO)entered 2023-10-24

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $70,881

Timeline (5 milestones)

• 2023-07-31Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2023-10-24Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2023-10-24Final Order Issued
• 2023-11-17NPDES Closed
• 2023-11-17Enforcement Action Closed