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PENNSYLVANIA TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR VIOLATES CLEAN WATER ACT
Release Date: 08/26/99
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FOR RELEASE: THURSDAY, AUGUST 26, 1999
PENNSYLVANIA TREATMENT PLANT OPERATOR
VIOLATES CLEAN WATER ACT
John Martin of Youngsville, Pa., pleaded guilty on Aug. 20, in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania in Erie, to conspiracy to violate the Clean Water Act and falsifying discharge monitoring reports. Martin was employed as an operator at the Borough of Youngsville’s sewage treatment plant from 1988 to 1994. Martin caused raw sewage to bypass the treatment portion of the plant and discharge directly into Brokenstraw Creek. In addition, he also failed to remove sludge from the plant in a timely manner, causing the discharge of waste sludge into the creek. Finally, he covered up the fact that the plant was overloaded by failing to provide adequate flow monitoring, by tampering with flow monitoring equipment, and by filing false flow reports. Raw sewage and sludge often contain E.coli bacteria and pathogens which can cause a variety of infectious diseases in people. When sentenced, Martin faces a maximum of up to seven years in prison and/or a fine of up to $500,000. The case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection and the Pennsylvania Attorney General Office and was prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice.
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