Georgetown, SC – Maintenance worker Maurice Avent was sentenced to 12 months of probation in November 2020 after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor violation of the Clean Water Act. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and stemming from a citizen complaint, revealed a concerning instance of raw sewage being directly discharged into a sensitive coastal marsh.
According to court documents, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC) received a report in late August 2018 regarding the illegal discharge near a Georgetown hotel. A DHEC officer responding to the scene discovered a makeshift system: a concrete pump station, or “wet well,” with a black hose extending from it. This hose was connected to a sump pump, and investigators observed raw sewage actively being pumped from the wet well, across a parking lot, over a fence, and directly into the adjacent marshland.
Avent, identified as the hotel’s maintenance man, admitted to installing the system after the hotel’s primary sewage pumps failed. Facing an immediate overflow situation, Avent purchased a sump pump as a temporary solution to divert the raw sewage. While the sump pump wasn’t continuously running, it activated as needed, consistently releasing untreated waste into the delicate marsh ecosystem. The discharge had been ongoing for approximately one week before authorities were alerted.
Significantly, investigators noted that Avent was *advised* by both city and state officials to redirect the hose to an available opening in the city’s sewage system—the intended destination of the sewage when the primary pumps were operational. He ultimately complied with this suggestion, ceasing the illegal discharge. However, the period of unauthorized pollution was deemed a violation of federal law.
Legal Ramifications
Avent was found to have violated 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(A) of the Clean Water Act, which prohibits the discharge of pollutants from a point source into navigable waters without a permit. The Clean Water Act is a cornerstone of environmental protection, aimed at maintaining and restoring the chemical, physical, and biological integrity of the nation’s waters. A misdemeanor violation under this statute can carry a maximum penalty of one year in jail and a fine of up to $25,000 per day for each day of violation, although Avent received a sentence of 12 months probation.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Maurice Avent
- Location: Georgetown, South Carolina
- Crime: Illegal discharge of raw sewage into a coastal marsh.
- Date of Offense: August 2018
- Statute Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(A) – Clean Water Act
- Penalty: 12 months probation
- Circumstances: Avent bypassed failed sewage pumps with a temporary sump pump system.
The case highlights the importance of proper maintenance of wastewater systems and the potential environmental consequences of even short-term, improvised solutions. While Avent attempted a fix, the discharge of untreated sewage posed a risk to public health and the fragile marsh ecosystem. The EPA continues to prioritize enforcement of the Clean Water Act to protect the nation’s waterways.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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