Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Dan Olson, 218-846-7390 Deer Creek, Minn. -- The city of Deer Creek has agreed to pay a $15,334 civil penalty to the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency for alleged violations at its wastewater treatment facility. The city has also taken steps to correct the problems found by the MPCA. The violations were identified during a series of MPCA inspections and file reviews from January 2006 to August 2007. The violations fell into three general categories: data collection and reporting, general operations at the treatment plant and operations associated with septic tank pumpers using the facility. For example, violations listed in the most recent inspection report included an unlocked and open gate, missing and incomplete monitoring information and no certified operator on hand to supervise septage haulers discharging waste at the facility. The city has also corrected all problems identified at the wastewater treatment plant, including completing reports, and modifying operations and testing procedures. The proper disposal of wastewater is important to protect Minnesota's land, water and air quality. The MPCA provides training on a number of topics for wastewater treatment plant operators. People who operate wastewater treatment facilities must be certified to ensure they have a thorough understanding of a system's basic operation and maintenance. When calculating penalties, the MPCA takes into account the potential for harm to the environment, whether it is a first time or repeat violation, and how promptly the violation was reported to the appropriate authorities. It also attempts to recover the calculated economic benefit gained by failure to comply with environmental laws in a timely manner. For a comprehensive list of enforcement actions by the MPCA, refer to the agency Web site at www.pca.state.mn.us/newcenter/enforcement.html.