Ronald Carey Meinzer, Violating Clean Water Act, Pennsylvania 2006

Bristol Township, PA – A former employee of the Bristol Township Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) was sentenced in 2006 for intentionally polluting the Delaware River and obstructing a federal investigation, according to court records obtained by GrimyTimes. Ronald Carey Meinzer directed plant workers to illegally discharge raw sewage and falsify water quality reports, actions that violated federal environmental laws.

The scheme unfolded in August 2005, following an overflow from a digester at the WWTP. Instead of properly containing and reporting the spill, Meinzer allegedly ordered employees to wash the spilled raw sewage directly into a storm sewer. This storm sewer system ultimately drains into the Delaware River, a vital waterway providing drinking water and supporting a diverse ecosystem.

Federal investigators with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) discovered that Meinzer not only directed the illegal discharge but also instructed employees to tamper with water samples collected for regulatory compliance. This manipulation was designed to conceal the extent of the pollution and avoid potential penalties. The EPA’s criminal enforcement division launched a swift investigation, uncovering evidence of Meinzer’s deliberate actions.

On August 23, 2005, Meinzer was charged with two counts of violating the Clean Water Act (CWA). Specifically, he was accused of knowingly violating 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A), which prohibits the discharge of pollutants without a permit, and 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(4), which criminalizes the submission of false statements to federal authorities. The charges stemmed from his direction to discharge untreated sewage and his attempts to manipulate sampling data.

Meinzer ultimately pled guilty to both counts on April 27, 2006. On October 23, 2006, he received a sentence of 36 months of probation, including six months of home detention. In addition to probation, Meinzer was ordered to complete 200 hours of community service, pay a $200 special assessment fee, and a $1,000 federal fine. While a conviction was obtained, environmental advocates have questioned whether the penalty adequately reflects the severity of the environmental damage and the deliberate nature of the crimes.

This case highlights the ongoing threat of industrial pollution and the importance of vigilant oversight of wastewater treatment facilities. The Delaware River, while showing signs of recovery, remains vulnerable to contamination, and the EPA continues to pursue enforcement actions against those who violate environmental regulations. GrimyTimes will continue to follow this story and report on related developments.

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Key Facts

Defendant: Ronald Carey Meinzer
Location: Bristol Township, Pennsylvania
Year: 2007 (Sentence handed down in 2006, charges filed in 2005)
Crime: Illegal discharge of raw sewage into the Delaware River and obstruction of justice.
Statutes Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A) & 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(4)
Penalty: 36 months probation (6 months home detention), 200 hours community service, $200 special assessment, $1,000 fine.

GrimyTimes staff contributed to this report.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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