Pineville, Louisiana – Colfax Treating Company was sentenced to pay a $15,000 fine in July 2014 after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor violation of the Clean Water Act. The charge stemmed from a negligent discharge of industrial wastewater containing dangerously high levels of the toxic chemical pentachlorophenol into the Pineville Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW) six years prior, in June 2008.
According to court documents, the wood treating facility exceeded the concentration limits outlined in its permit, releasing wastewater containing 7.1 milligrams per liter (mg/l) of pentachlorophenol. This significantly surpassed the permissible limit of 5.64 mg/l, a violation of regulations designed to protect both the environment and the efficacy of the POTW. Pentachlorophenol is a known hazardous substance used as a wood preservative, but its presence in wastewater can disrupt biological treatment processes and pose risks to aquatic life and human health.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) investigated the incident, uncovering evidence that Colfax Treating Company failed to adequately monitor and control its wastewater discharge. While the exact cause of the exceedance remains unclear, investigators determined the company acted negligently in failing to maintain compliance with its permit requirements. The discharge impacted the POTW’s ability to effectively treat wastewater, potentially leading to further environmental consequences.
The Clean Water Act, enacted in 1972, is the primary federal law governing water pollution. It establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States. Violations of the Act can result in both civil and criminal penalties, depending on the severity and nature of the offense. In this case, Colfax Treating Company was charged under 33 U.S.C. § 1319(c)(1)(A), which specifically addresses negligent violations of permit conditions.
The $15,000 fine levied against Colfax Treating Company serves as a reminder of the serious consequences of industrial pollution. Environmental advocacy groups have long argued that penalties for Clean Water Act violations are often insufficient to deter future offenses. This case, while resulting in a guilty plea, represents a relatively low-level enforcement action compared to the potential for more substantial fines and even imprisonment for more egregious violations.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Colfax Treating Company
- Location: Pineville, Louisiana
- Crime: Clean Water Act violation – negligent discharge of pollutants
- Pollutant: Pentachlorophenol
- Date of Discharge: June 13, 2008
- Permit Limit: 5.64 mg/l pentachlorophenol
- Discharge Level: 7.1 mg/l pentachlorophenol
- Statute Violated: 33 U.S.C. § 1319(c)(1)(A)
- Penalty: $15,000 fine
GrimyTimes will continue to follow environmental enforcement cases and report on efforts to hold polluters accountable.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
Related Federal Cases
- V Ships Norway, Pollution Fine, USA 2023 · North Carolina
- Engineer Sentenced for Pollution Violation · Louisiana
- Hot Springs Man Sentenced for PPP UI Fraud, Hot Springs AR, 2023 · Indiana
- Lara Coleman, $132M Trust Fund Embezzlement, Richmond VA, 2023 · Maryland
- Chemtrade Logistics, Chemtrade Refinery Services, and Marsulex Fine… · Florida
MORE FEDERAL CRIME NEWS
White Collar CrimeWhite Collar CrimeWhite Collar CrimeWhite Collar Crime