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Oregon Mobile Home Parks Earn EPA Drinking Water Complaints
Release Date: 3/12/2003
Contact Information: Michael Cox
[email protected]
(206) 553-1893
March 12, 2003
03-13
Federal agency seeks $38,368 in penalties
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has filed complaints against two Oregon mobile home parks for failing to test and inform the public about the quality of their drinking water.
The EPA complaints seek a $15,000 penalty against Apple Blossom Mobile Home Park and a $23,368 penalty against the Caves Highway Mobil and RV Park located in Cave Junction
The complaints follow compliance orders EPA issued last year at the request of the Oregon Department of Human Services after the water suppliers failed to comply with state drinking water program compliance actions. Both water systems were given ample opportunity to respond to the EPA orders by coming into compliance with the drinking water requirements. However, both systems failed to perform tests or inform the public.
According to Michael Cox, Manager of the EPA*s Drinking Water Unit in Seattle, the EPA and Oregon agreed to share enforcement responsibilities against water suppliers who persistently violate the drinking water rules.
“Faithful and timely testing is crucial to making sure our water remains safe to drink,” said Cox. “The state, counties, and EPA have made repeated efforts to ensure that these systems comply with the law, but sometimes it takes penalties to affect change. We hope that other public water systems see these actions as a clear messages that we take drinking water protection very seriously.
“Although enforcement action can be taken by EPA, we prefer to encourage voluntary compliance with the State,” Cox said. He suggested that Oregon water suppliers comply with the rules on time, or if they face a state action that they comply with that action as prescribed. Otherwise, they are likely to end up being pursued by the EPA.”
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Contact: Dave Leland - OR DHS-Health Services 503/731-4010
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