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EPA cites builders for Clean Water Act violations at Fairfax County residential developments

Release Date: 10/3/2002
Contact Information: Roy Seneca 215-814-5567

Contact: Roy Seneca 215-814-5567
PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued Clean Water Act complaints against two homebuilders for violating storm water regulations at residential development sites in Fairfax Co., Va.

In separate complaints, EPA is seeking a $32,600 penalty against Centex International, Inc. of Dallas, Tex., for violations at the Avondale Glen development in Great Falls, Va., and a $21,600 penalty against KSI Services, Inc. of Vienna, Va. for violations at three developments in the Lorton Town Center development in Lorton, Va.

Storm water runoff from construction activities can have a significant adverse impact on local streams, rivers and other waterways by contributing sediments and other potential pollutants.

Under the Clean Water Act, operators of construction sites must obtain a permit requiring safeguards to manage runoff properly. The permit requires a storm water pollution prevention plan that mandates practices such as erosion and sedimentation controls, oil spill prevention, proper storage of waste fluids, and training in environmental requirements.

In May, EPA and Fairfax Co. officials inspected Centex’s Avondale Glen construction site and discovered alleged violations that included failure to place perimeter controls around soil piles, failure to install required diversion dikes and conveyance piping, and failure to limit clearing and grading near a stream channel. Storm water runoff from this site flows into a tributary of Difficult Run, which ultimately discharges to the Potomac River.

EPA’s complaint against KSI alleges that the company failed to have a storm water permit for three construction sites in the Lorton Town Center development. These violations were uncovered by EPA inspections in February. Runoff from these sites flows into a tributary of Pohick Creek, which in turn flows into the Potomac River.

In addition to the complaints, EPA has issued orders requiring Centex to implement applicable storm water permit requirements within 30 days, and requiring KSI to either cease discharging storm water or apply for a storm water permit within 30 days.

The companies have the right to a hearing to contest the violations alleged in the complaints, and proposed penalties.

For more information about EPA’s storm water program, visit EPA’s national and regional websites at https://www.epa.gov/owm/sw/construction and https://www.epa.gov/reg3wapd/stormwater/index.htm .