El Reno, OK – Kenneth Fulton, a former project manager at the El Reno Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), has been sentenced to two years of probation and ordered to pay a $10,000 fine for intentionally falsifying water quality reports submitted to federal and state environmental agencies. The scheme, uncovered by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ), involved manipulating samples to conceal elevated levels of E. coli in the plant’s discharge into the North Canadian River.
Fulton, employed by Veolia North America, LLC, was responsible for the oversight of operations at the El Reno WWTP. Between September 2019 and February 2020, he systematically diluted wastewater samples with a bleach solution and deionized water before submitting them for analysis. This deliberate act was designed to ensure the reported E. coli levels consistently fell within the limits stipulated in the plant’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit.
According to court documents, Fulton would collect wastewater samples near the discharge point, then mix them with a bleach/water solution, exceeding the permissible holding time for accurate testing. He would then dilute the mixture further with deionized water, effectively masking the presence of bleach and significantly reducing the detected E. coli count. The manipulated samples were then presented to a certified laboratory as representative of the plant’s treated wastewater.
Regulatory Framework & Impact
The case highlights a critical breach of the Clean Water Act, a landmark federal law enacted to protect and restore the nation’s waterways. The Act prohibits the discharge of pollutants from point sources – like wastewater treatment plants – without a valid NPDES permit. These permits require rigorous self-monitoring and reporting of pollutant levels to ensure compliance with water quality standards. Oklahoma has been delegated authority by the EPA to administer the NPDES program, and the DEQ is responsible for enforcement within the state.
The falsification of data undermines the integrity of the permitting system and poses a risk to public health and the environment. Elevated levels of E. coli can indicate the presence of harmful bacteria and pathogens, potentially contaminating drinking water sources, impacting recreational activities, and harming aquatic life. While the extent of actual contamination resulting from Fulton’s actions is still being assessed, the deliberate deception raises serious concerns about the plant’s compliance history.
Legal Ramifications & Penalties
Fulton pleaded guilty to violating 33 U.S.C. § 1319(c)(4) of the Clean Water Act, which specifically addresses the falsification of records and monitoring reports. His sentence of two years probation and a $10,000 fine reflects the severity of the offense. The EPA and DEQ have indicated that the City of El Reno and Veolia North America are not currently facing charges, but both entities are under review to ensure proper oversight and compliance procedures are in place.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Kenneth Fulton
- Crime: Clean Water Act Violation (Falsifying water quality reports)
- Location: El Reno, Oklahoma
- Year: 2022
- Statute Violated: 33 U.S.C. § 1319(c)(4)
- Penalty: 2 years probation and $10,000 fine
- Method: Diluting wastewater samples with bleach and deionized water to mask E. coli levels
- Agencies Involved: EPA, Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ)
GrimyTimes will continue to follow this case and report on any further developments regarding the City of El Reno WWTP and potential remediation efforts to ensure the safety and quality of the North Canadian River.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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