Sewage Dumping Could Mean Prison Time For Operator

A former operator at a wastewater plant in New York could face a year in prison after pleading guilty to violating the Clean Water Act.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Andrew Thompson was chief operator at the wastewater plant for the Village of Westfield.

“On June 12, 2014, a malfunction occurred at the West Side Pump Station located in the Village. The pump station was unable to pump the untreated sewage flowing through the station, which resulted in untreated sewage being discharged into Chautauqua Creek. Based on an alarm that was triggered due to the sewage overflow, Thompson was aware of the discharge of sewage into the creek,” the office said in a release.

An important fishing location, Chautauqua Creek releases into Lake Erie, according to the New York Environmental Conservation Department.

“The day after the mishap, as workers were trying to fix the problem, prosecutors say Thompson directed them to discharge the untreated sewage, a pollutant, into Chautauqua Creek,” the New York Daily News reported.

Prosecutors say Thompson “did not have a permit and acted negligently in ordering the discharge of untreated sewage into the creek,” The Buffalo News reported.

Thompson will be sentenced in August.

The U.S. EPA investigated the events. The agency is clear on the health risks of raw sewage.

“Raw sewage contains disease-causing pathogens, including viruses, bacteria, worms, and protozoa. Diseases resulting from enteric pathogens range from stomach flu and upper respiratory infections to potentially life-threatening illnesses such as cholera, dysentery, Hepatitis B, and cryptosporidiosis,” the agency says.

To read more about sewage discharge violations visit Water Online’s Wastewater Regulations And Legislation.