St. Louis, MO – MJK Distributing, Inc., a Missouri-based company, and its owner, Martin Klipsch, were convicted of violating the Clean Water Act (CWA) in 1999, following a probe into illegal wastewater discharge. The case, which came to light after monitoring by the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District (MSD), revealed a pattern of deliberately bypassing wastewater treatment protocols during tanker truck cleaning operations.
According to court documents, between April 1996 and February 1999, MJK Distributing routinely discharged waste from cleaning tanker trucks directly into the sanitary sewer system. MSD, suspecting illicit activity, installed a concealed sampling device on the sewer line dedicated to MJK’s facility. The collected samples revealed shockingly erratic pH levels, ranging from an extremely acidic 1.43 to a highly alkaline 12.82 – levels far outside acceptable limits for safe discharge into a municipal wastewater treatment plant. These extreme readings indicated a complete lack of any pre-treatment or neutralization of the waste before entering the sewer system.
A subsequent civil investigation conducted by MSD confirmed that no wastewater treatment processes were in place during the tanker wash operations. Interviews with personnel quickly focused on Martin Klipsch, identified as the individual controlling all aspects of the company’s operations. Investigators determined Klipsch was aware of the illegal discharges and deliberately authorized the practice, prioritizing cost savings over environmental compliance.
On February 3, 1999, both MJK Distributing, Inc. and Klipsch were formally charged with one count of violating the Clean Water Act, specifically 33 U.S.C. 1317(d), which prohibits the violation of toxic and pretreatment effluent standards. The charges stemmed from the documented evidence of untreated, highly corrosive wastewater entering the MSD system, potentially damaging infrastructure and disrupting the biological processes within the treatment plant.
The defendants entered a guilty plea on March 19, 1999. On June 4, 1999, the court handed down its sentencing. MJK Distributing, Inc. was sentenced to 36 months of probation and ordered to pay a $2,500 federal fine. Additionally, the company was mandated to provide $11,573 in restitution to the Metropolitan St. Louis Sewer District to cover costs associated with the damage and investigative efforts. Martin Klipsch received a sentence of 12 months probation, but was not subjected to a monetary fine.
The case serves as a stark reminder of the potential consequences of environmental crimes and the importance of adhering to regulations designed to protect public health and infrastructure. While the penalties in this case may seem relatively modest by today’s standards, the incident highlights the ongoing need for vigilant monitoring and robust enforcement of environmental laws.
Key Facts
- Defendant: MJK Distributing, Inc. and Martin Klipsch
- Crime: Violation of the Clean Water Act
- State: Missouri
- Year: 1999
- Statute Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1317(d) – Violation of toxic and pretreatment effluent standards
- Evidence: pH readings from sewer samples ranged from 1.43 to 12.82
- Penalties: MJK Distributing – 36 months probation, $2,500 fine, $11,573 restitution. Martin Klipsch – 12 months probation.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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