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CALIFORNIA WASTEWATER TREATMENT OPERATOR ADMITS TO WATER TAMPERING
Release Date: 04/09/99
Contact Information:
FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 1999
CALIFORNIA WASTEWATER TREATMENT OPERATOR ADMITS
TO WATER TAMPERING
TO WATER TAMPERING
Bernardino Lopez, former wastewater treatment plant operator for the Niland Sanitary District, pleaded guilty on March 29 in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of California in San Diego, to violating the Clean Water Act (CWA). Lopez admitted that in August and September of 1998, he repeatedly added chlorine to wastewater samples that were to be tested for E. coli. bacteria. The samples were used to develop monthly reports to the Regional Water Quality Control Board. Adding chlorine to the samples concealed the fact that both treatment plants were discharging wastewater with E. coli. levels that exceeded the limits allowed in their CWA National Point Discharge Elimination System permits. Human exposure to wastewater containing excessive levels of E. coli. can cause skin and intestinal infections. Wastewater from both plants flows into the Salton Sea. When sentenced, Lopez faces a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment and/or a $10,000 fine. This case was investigated by the Imperial County Environmental Task Force, which includes EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division, and was prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice.
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