January 25, 2006

Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester announced that on January 23, the DEQ entered into a consent order with the Village of Hesperia to resolve civil violations of the Michigan Safe Drinking Water Act for constructing a water main without a permit.

The DEQ denied Hesperia’s permit application to construct a water main project in July 2004 due to the village’s water system lacking the capability to maintain adequate water pressure during peak demand. Following this decision, the DEQ discovered that Hesperia had already constructed portions of the project without the permit.

In 2002, Hesperia was warned by the DEQ after it constructed another water project without a permit.

“The permitting process for constructing water systems under the SDWA is designed to ensure citizens receive an adequate and safe supply of drinking water,” said DEQ Director Steven E. Chester. “When a supplier side-steps this process after being notified of its obligations, the DEQ must intervene to ensure Michigan’s citizens are protected.”

Hesperia made the necessary modifications to the water system and entered the consent order to resolve the violations. The consent order requires payment of a civil fine in the amount of $11,010 and reimbursement of the DEQ’s enforcement costs. In addition, the consent order requires Hesperia to develop a new procedure to ensure that it obtains the necessary permits before commencing construction on its drinking water system.

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

“Protecting Michigan’s Environment, Ensuring Michigan’s Future”

Revised January 25,2005 by Pat Watson