Minnesota Pollution Control Agency

Contact: Stephen Mikkelson, 218-855-5001 Brainerd, Minn. -- The owners of Dayton Park Properties mobile home park have paid $18,418 for alleged wastewater treatment violations. The violations were discovered during Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) staff inspections of the park's wastewater treatment facility in Osseo, Minn. The violations included failing to notify the MPCA of an unauthorized wastewater discharge in late 2005, and exceeding limits for fecal coliform in its discharge during several months in 2005 and 2006. The company also submitted required monthly operation reports late 12 times during the same period. The facility discharges to nearby French Lake, which is on the state's list of impaired waters due to excessive levels of nutrients. 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 how seriously the violation affected the environment, whether it is a first time or repeat violation, and how promptly the violation was reported to 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/newscenter/enforcement.html.