Anacortes, WA – Gregg’s Diesel Service, Inc., and its owner, Wayne Gregg, were convicted of federal crimes related to illegal wastewater discharge in 1999, highlighting a case of blatant disregard for environmental regulations and potential harm to the delicate Puget Sound ecosystem. The Anacortes-based diesel engine cleaning and repair shop systematically bypassed environmental protections, dumping industrial waste into both the city’s sewer system and directly into Fidalgo Bay.
According to court documents, Gregg’s Diesel discharged rinse water from engine parts cleaning – heavily contaminated with oil, grease, and trace solvents like benzene, trichloromethane, and tetrachloromethane – through an unauthorized connection to the Anacortes Publicly Owned Treatment Works (POTW). This connection was specifically designed for domestic sewage from recreational vehicles, a clear attempt to conceal the industrial nature of the waste. The scheme initially involved routing the wastewater through the storm drain system, a practice repeatedly warned against by the Anacortes Sewer District.
When the high concentration of solids in the waste caused a blockage in the storm drain, Gregg took the unusual step of collecting the effluent in a tank and transporting it to the POTW, attempting to disguise the 500-gallon load as legitimate sewage. This maneuver, however, did not escape scrutiny, triggering a federal investigation into the company’s waste disposal practices. Investigators determined that the company never obtained the necessary National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit required for direct discharge into Fidalgo Bay, a critical component of the Puget Sound.
Legal Ramifications
On March 6, 1999, Gregg’s Diesel Service and Wayne Gregg were indicted on ten counts of negligent violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA), specifically 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A). After negotiating a plea bargain with federal prosecutors, both the company and Gregg pleaded guilty to one count of information on June 11, 1999. The case underscores the EPA’s commitment to pursuing environmental crimes, even when committed by seemingly small businesses.
Sentencing & Penalties
On September 15, 1999, the court handed down its sentences. Gregg’s Diesel Service, Inc. was placed on 36 months of probation and ordered to pay a $5,000 federal fine. Wayne Gregg himself received 36 months of probation and was personally fined $3,000. While the penalties might seem modest by today’s standards, the case served as a warning to other businesses operating near sensitive waterways. The incident prompted increased oversight of industrial waste disposal in the Anacortes area.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Gregg’s Diesel Service, Inc. and Wayne Gregg
- Location: Anacortes, Washington
- Crime: Illegal discharge of industrial wastewater
- Statute Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A) – Clean Water Act
- Waste Type: Oil, grease, solvents (benzene, trichloromethane, tetrachloromethane)
- Discharge Points: Anacortes POTW (via unauthorized connection), Fidalgo Bay
- Penalties: $5,000 fine for Gregg’s Diesel, $3,000 fine for Wayne Gregg, 36 months probation for both.
GrimyTimes will continue to follow environmental crime cases and provide updates as they develop.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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