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EX-VIRGINIA PLANT OWNER CHARGED WITH ILLEGAL SEWAGE DISCHARGE
Release Date: 02/11/2002
Contact Information:
FOR RELEASE: MONDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 2002
EX-VIRGINIA PLANT OWNER CHARGED WITH ILLEGAL SEWAGE DISCHARGE
Luke Hester 202-564-7818 / [email protected]
Richard M. Anthony, formerly of Henry County, Va., was charged with violating the Clean Water Act by discharging sewage without a permit. Anthony, who was President and owner of Sanville Utilities Inc., constructed and operated the Fairway Acres sewage treatment plant which serviced the Fairway Acres subdivision near Bassett, Va. The plant had a capacity of approximately 40,000 gallons per day in 1999, when the defendant failed to pay the electric bill. After repeated attempts to get Anthony to pay the bill, the electric company cut off the power and the plant began to discharge untreated sewage into Blackberry Creek. Virginia’s Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) determined that the creek had a fecal coliform bacteria level 160 times the maximum allowable limit. Bacteria from sewage can cause infections and intestinal diseases in people who come in contact with contaminated surface waters. If convicted, the defendant faces a maximum sentence of up to one year in prison and/or a fine of up to $25,000 per day of violation. The case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and VDEQ. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s office in Roanoke. The filing of federal charges is merely an accusation and all defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty in a court of law.
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