Phillip Andrew Hazelwood, Falsification of Discharge Monitoring Reports, North Carolina 2010

Long Creek, NC – Phillip Andrew Hazelwood, the former Operator in Responsible Charge (ORC) of the Long Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), was sentenced to probation after admitting to falsifying data reported to state environmental regulators. The case, investigated and prosecuted by state authorities, highlights the critical importance of accurate reporting in maintaining environmental compliance and public health.

According to court documents, Hazelwood intentionally falsified analytical data recorded on bench sheets, which were then used to compile Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs). DMRs are legally required submissions to the state, detailing the quality of wastewater discharged from the plant. The falsification occurred in February 2009, and discrepancies were later discovered during a routine review of submitted data. The manipulation of this data potentially misrepresented the plant’s adherence to permitted discharge levels, raising concerns about potential environmental impacts.

The investigation revealed that Hazelwood, as the ORC, bore the responsibility of ensuring the accuracy of all data submitted on behalf of the Long Creek WWTP. His deliberate falsification constitutes a breach of public trust and a violation of state environmental regulations. While the specific pollutants affected by the falsified data haven’t been publicly disclosed, such inaccuracies can mask serious problems with wastewater treatment processes, potentially leading to contamination of local waterways.

On August 31, 2009, Hazelwood was formally indicted on two counts of violating North Carolina state environmental regulations. After several months, on March 31, 2010, Hazelwood entered a guilty plea to both charges. The sentencing judge imposed a 24-month probationary period but notably did not levy a financial fine. The lack of a fine has drawn some criticism, with environmental watchdogs suggesting that penalties should be commensurate with the potential environmental harm caused by such offenses.

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Key Facts

Defendant: Phillip Andrew Hazelwood
Location: Long Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant, North Carolina
Crime: Falsification of Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs)
Date of Offense: February 2009
Charges: Two counts of violating North Carolina state environmental regulations.
Penalty: 24 months probation, no fine.

GrimyTimes reached out to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality for comment on the case and potential improvements to oversight of WWTP operators. A spokesperson stated the department takes all instances of data falsification seriously and is continuously working to strengthen compliance and enforcement efforts. This case serves as a stark reminder of the potential for environmental crime even within seemingly mundane infrastructure operations, and the need for vigilant monitoring and accountability.

The specific statutes violated were not publicly released. However, falsifying reports to a governmental agency is a crime in most jurisdictions, and in this case, it also carries the potential for significant environmental consequences. The case underscores the importance of rigorous data integrity in environmental monitoring and the serious repercussions for those who attempt to deceive regulators.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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