The Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) announced today that a settlement has been reached with the city of Pontiac resolving the allegations of natural resource damages related to an unauthorized discharge from the Pontiac Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP). In addition, the DEQ and the city have agreed to a revised Schedule of Compliance for the Wastewater Collection System Analysis and Rehabilitation Program authorized by the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.

The city owns and operates the WWTP located at 155 North Opdyke Road, that provides sewerage service to the local community. The violations involve an alleged unauthorized discharge from the WWTP in August, 2005, resulting in extensive environmental and resource damages. Additional violations included the city's failure to meet its NPDES Schedule of Compliance (SOC) pertaining to the Wastewater Collection System Analysis and Rehabilitation Program.

The settlement includes Pontiac agreeing to provide proper containment and storage facilities for any and all polluting materials at the WWTP in accordance with the NPDES permit requirements and a revised SOC. In addition, the city agrees to pay $15,000 for full settlement of civil liability, $15,000 to be deposited into the natural resource damages fund, and $6,000 for enforcement costs.

Editor's note: DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

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