Portsmouth, NH – A former terminal manager has been penalized for knowingly discharging polluted water into the Piscataqua River, according to court documents unsealed this week. Christopher M. Garrity, formerly of Grimmel Industries, L.L.C., pled guilty to violating the Clean Water Act and was ordered to pay a $5,000 fine.
The case originated on June 26, 2013, when the Portsmouth Harbor Master observed a tanker truck on the Grimmel Industries property actively discharging wastewater directly into the river via a hose. EPA Criminal Investigation Division (CID) agents responded to the scene and determined the discharge was a deliberate act, despite existing agreements to prevent such pollution.
Investigators quickly focused on Garrity, who, as terminal manager, was aware of a prior civil agreement between Grimmel Industries and the Environmental Protection Agency. This agreement specifically addressed the handling of polluted water and mandated measures to avoid any further discharges into the Piscataqua River. Evidence gathered by the EPA indicated Garrity was the individual who physically connected the hose, facilitating the illegal release of contaminants.
The investigation revealed that the tanker truck contained polluted water that *should* have been managed in accordance with the established environmental protocols. Instead, Garrity bypassed those safeguards, choosing to discharge the waste directly into a vital waterway. The specific nature of the pollutants has not been publicly disclosed, but the EPA emphasizes that any unauthorized discharge poses a risk to both aquatic life and public health.
Legal Ramifications
Garrity was formally charged on September 9, 2015, with violating two key sections of the Clean Water Act: 33 U.S.C. §1311(a), which prohibits the discharge of pollutants into navigable waters without a permit, and 33 U.S.C. § 1319(c)(2)(A), which addresses knowingly violating permit conditions or orders issued under the Act. His guilty plea on the same date paved the way for the February 2, 2016 sentencing, where Judge [Name of Judge not provided in data] imposed the $5,000 fine.
Grimmel Industries History
While Garrity bore the direct legal responsibility, the incident also raises questions about oversight at Grimmel Industries. The company was already subject to EPA scrutiny due to the prior civil agreement, suggesting potential systemic issues with environmental compliance. GrimyTimes is continuing to investigate whether additional parties may have been involved or if this was an isolated incident.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Christopher M. Garrity
- Location: Grimmel Industries Facility, Portsmouth, New Hampshire
- Date of Discharge: June 26, 2013
- Laws Violated: 33 U.S.C. §1311(a) and 33 U.S.C. § 1319(c)(2)(A)
- Penalty: $5,000 fine
- Key Evidence: Garrity was identified as the individual who connected the hose to discharge the polluted water.
- Prior Agreement: The discharge violated a pre-existing civil agreement between Grimmel Industries and the EPA.
The EPA’s CID continues to actively investigate environmental crimes, emphasizing that individuals who knowingly endanger our waterways will be held accountable. This case serves as a stark reminder that environmental regulations are not merely suggestions, but legally binding requirements.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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