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Latest summary of EPA actions to ensure safe drinking water in Wyoming

Release Date: 11/22/2010
Contact Information: Lisa Kahn, 303-312-6896, [email protected]

(Denver, Colo. – November 22, 2010) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 8 issued one emergency administrative order, 20 administrative orders, and settled seven penalty actions under the Safe Drinking Water Act in Wyoming from April 1 through September 30, 2010.

EPA issues an emergency order when there is a potential for imminent and substantial endangerment to public health, such as when contaminants have been identified in a public water system or when the public water system has experienced a disruption in the system that may endanger public health.

On June 6, 2010, EPA Region 8 issued an emergency administrative order against the Town of Dixon after the system ran out of water in its storage tank, leading to a loss of pressure in the distribution system. In such situations, potentially harmful contaminants can enter the distribution system through cracks and leaks in the pipes. The Town of Dixon took necessary precautions to protect the residents during the pressure loss, and implemented a plan to prevent future loss-of-pressure events in its water distribution system.

EPA issues an administrative order when a public water system violates the Safe Drinking Water Act and its regulations. An administrative order requires the public water system to comply with the drinking water regulations that it violated and includes action items for returning to compliance.

EPA issued administrative orders to the following public water systems:

A Bar A Ranch, Encampment
Ashley National Forest (Firehole Recreation Area), Sweetwater County
B&K MHP, Riverton
Baggs Man Camp, Casper
Bennor Subdivision, Gillette
Bentonite Performance Minerals/Colony, Colony
Bryan’s Place, Rozet
Burlington Resources, Lysite
Cozy Mobile Home Park, Riverton
Flying J Inc, Cheyenne
Four J School, Gillette
Little Bear Inn, Cheyenne
Lodore Supper Club, Sheridan
Manville, Town of
Rawhide Resort, Dubois
Recluse School, Gillette
Sawmill Lodge, Dubois
Snowy Range Ski Area, Laramie
Turpin Meadow Ranch, Moran
Wapiti Elementary School, Cody

EPA issues a complaint for penalty when a public water system violates an administrative order. The penalty amount is based on a combination of the seriousness of the violations and the size of the population at risk, among other factors. EPA settled penalty actions with the following public water systems, with the penalty amount noted:

Evanston Port of Entry - WY Department of Transportation, Rock Springs
Penalty Amount: $4,500

Grand Teton Park RV Resort, Moran
Penalty Amount: $5,000

Q Roadhouse - BBQ-5, Wilson
Penalty Amount: $2,500

Rock River, Town of
Penalty Amount: $4,500

Southside Well Improvement and Service District, Gillette
Penalty Amount: $1,200

Sunnyside Mobile Home Park, Riverton
Penalty Amount: $3,000

Wycolo Lodge, Laramie
Penalty Amount: $1,200

The Safe Drinking Water Act establishes specific regulations to assure the safety of public drinking water. EPA Region 8 directly implements the drinking water program throughout Indian country in the Region and in Wyoming and also oversees implementation of the Act in Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Utah.