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ALASKA WATER UTILITY OFFICIAL VIOLATES CLEAN WATER ACT

Release Date: 04/13/2001
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FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2001

ALASKA WATER UTILITY OFFICIAL VIOLATES CLEAN WATER ACT

Luke C. Hester 202-564-7818 / [email protected]


Andrew Bronson, Superintendent of Juneau, Wastewater Utility Division, pleaded guilty on April 6 to violating the Clean Water Act (CWA) by tampering with effluent samples from the Mendenhall Wastewater Treatment Facility. Bronson admitted diluting effluent samples intended for wastewater analysis. As a result, inaccurate levels were reported on facility Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) submitted to the EPA as required by law. Tampering with DMRs can cause sewage treatment plants to discharge excessive levels of bacteria, pathogens and solids which can be harmful to fish and other aquatic life and can make surface waters unsafe for recreation. When sentenced, Bronson faces a maximum of up to two years imprisonment and/or a fine of not more than $50,000. The case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and the FBI with the assistance of EPA’s National Enforcement Investigations Center, and is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Juneau.

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