Lake Ozark, MO – The City of Lake Ozark and a former public works director have been penalized for illegally discharging raw sewage into the Lake of the Ozarks, a popular Missouri recreational area. The case, stemming from a criminal investigation initiated by a tip submitted through the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) online reporting system, highlights a concerning pattern of negligence and a failure to uphold environmental regulations.
Richard L. Sturgeon, formerly the city’s public works director, was sentenced in August 2009 to three years of probation and a $5,000 fine after pleading guilty to violating the Clean Water Act (CWA). Sturgeon admitted to knowingly failing to report the ongoing, illegal discharge of untreated sewage. His actions concealed the severity of the pollution from both the EPA and the public.
The investigation revealed that the city itself was the primary source of the contamination. Lake Ozark repeatedly discharged raw sewage from multiple collection stations directly into the lake. These overflows were a direct result of faulty equipment that city officials were aware needed repair, but deliberately failed to address. The city’s inaction allowed the problem to persist, consistently polluting a vital waterway.
In a plea agreement reached in August 2008, the City of Lake Ozark pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Water Act and was sentenced to five years of probation and a $50,000 federal fine. The city’s failure to maintain its sewage infrastructure demonstrated a clear disregard for environmental protection and public health. The EPA’s investigation revealed a systemic problem, not an isolated incident.
This case marks the first successful prosecution resulting from information received through the EPA’s “Report an Environmental Violation” website, demonstrating the effectiveness of citizen reporting in holding polluters accountable. The EPA emphasized that such reports are crucial in identifying and addressing environmental crimes that might otherwise go undetected.
The penalties levied against both Sturgeon and the City of Lake Ozark serve as a warning to other municipalities and individuals that environmental violations will be vigorously prosecuted. The case underscores the importance of proactive infrastructure maintenance and honest reporting when dealing with wastewater management to protect vital water resources.
Key Facts
- Defendant: City of Lake Ozark, Missouri & Richard L. Sturgeon
- Crime: Violations of the Clean Water Act
- State: Missouri
- Year: 2009
- Statutes Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1311(a), 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(A)
- Penalties:
- Richard L. Sturgeon: 3 years probation, $5,000 fine
- City of Lake Ozark: 5 years probation, $50,000 fine
- Source of Tip: EPA’s “Report an Environmental Violation” website
- The discharges stemmed from faulty sewage collection stations.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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