Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Technical Contact: Tod Eckberg (651) 296-7737 Media Contact: Nancy Miller (507) 280-3590 Rochester, Minn. -- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) announced today that Lance Bennett, doing business as Bennett Septic Service, has agreed to discontinue the septage-pumping portion of the business due to alleged environmental violations. When the alleged violations occurred, Bennett was a licensed Individual Sewage Treatment System (ISTS) inspection and pumping service provider located in Winthrop, Minn. During a November 2004 inspection, MPCA staff documented several violations and determined that Bennett had been improperly disposing of septic tank wastes since January of 2003. The company violated requirements for reducing bacteria and pathogens in the waste, taking measures to reduce pests that are attracted to wastes, as well as monitoring and recordkeeping problems. MPCA staff also discussed with Bennett actions necessary to correct the violations. The company failed to respond to several official requests for information and the documented violations. In January 2005, the MPCA again met with Bennett to discuss enforcement and licensing options. The MPCA has agreed to revoke Bennett's septage pumping license in lieu of a monetary penalty. Bennett may not reapply for a pumping license for three years from the date of the agreement. Bennett retains the necessary licensure to conduct ISTS inspections. This type of agreement is one of the MPCA's many tools used to achieve compliance with environmental laws. When calculating penalties and enforcement options, MPCA staff take into account how seriously the violation(s) affected the environment, whether it was a first time or repeat violation and how promptly the violation was reported to appropriate authorities. For a comprehensive list of enforcement actions by the MPCA, refer to the agency Web site at/newscenter/enforcement.html.