May 3, 2005

Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester announced that on April 29, the DEQ entered into a consent order with the city of Charlevoix to resolve alleged civil violations at the city’s wastewater treatment plant.

The consent order resolves alleged violations of the city’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit that consisted of submitting to the DEQ falsified discharge monitoring reports; exceeding permit effluent limits; failing to collect samples and monitor the WWTP at the required frequency; and having inadequate laboratory controls.

“The violations at the Charlevoix wastewater treatment plant placed the resources of this state at risk,” said Director Chester. “It is crucial that dischargers to the waters of the state have adequate oversight of their operations to ensure that our waters stay clean and safe.”

Under the consent order, the city is required to submit to the DEQ documentation of additional laboratory monitoring and implement a computerized maintenance program. During negotiation of the consent order, the city completed other compliance actions that included a comprehensive audit, cleaning and maintenance activities, and the development and implementation of additional operating procedures and laboratory controls. The city is responsible for partially reimbursing the DEQ for its enforcement costs and paying a civil fine associated with the past violations in the amount of $20,000 to the state of Michigan.

In December 2004, two former employees of the WWTP were arrested on two counts each of felony charges associated with the falsification of the WWTP’s discharge monitoring records.

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

Revised May 3, 2005 by Pat Watson