EPA Sticks to Pollution Fine Deal with Water Utility.
Published Date: 3/13/2025
Notice
Summary
The EPA said no to a request that tried to cancel a deal with Frederick Water about pollution rules. This means the original agreement and penalty stay in place, so Frederick Water must follow the rules and pay any fines as planned. No changes or delays here—business as usual to keep our water clean!
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 2 costs, 0 mixed.
Civil penalty of $12,000 upheld
Frederick-Winchester Service Authority and Frederick County Sanitation Authority (d/b/a Frederick Water) must pay a civil penalty of $12,000 to settle alleged Clean Water Act violations that occurred between June 30, 2019 and January 31, 2024. The petition to set aside the Consent Agreement and Proposed Final Order was denied on February 14, 2025, so the $12,000 settlement remains in effect.
Infrastructure-upgrade obligation remains
As part of a separate Administrative Order of Consent, Frederick Water must provide an Injunctive Relief Framework detailing plans to implement infrastructure upgrades needed to comply with their permit's effluent limitations. The denial of the petition on February 14, 2025 leaves that injunctive-relief and upgrade obligation in place.
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