Timothy Peer, Clean Water Act Violations, West Virginia 2023

A Hampshire County man has been indicted for violating permits and discharging untreated sewage into the North Branch of the Potomac River, violating the Clean Water Act.

Timothy Peer, 55, of Springfield, West Virginia, was indicted by a federal grand jury sitting in Wheeling for violating permits and discharging untreated sewage from his sewage treatment plant, United States Attorney Bill Powell announced.

Prior to the indictment, Peer owned and operated Mountainaire Village Utility, LLC, a sewage water treatment plant serving the residents of Mountainaire Village near Ridgeley, West Virginia, from early 2008 to July 2016.

Between 2014 and 2016, Peer is accused of failing to maintain the treatment plant, resulting in untreated and undertreated sewage being discharged into the North Branch of the Potomac River, violating the Clean Water Act and his permit.

Pollution from Peer's actions poses significant threats to the environment and public health, said law enforcement agencies.

Pollution from untreated sewage can contaminate the water supply, harming aquatic life and posing health risks to humans.

The Environmental Protection Agency and the West Virginia Department of Environment Protection investigated the case.

The indictment charges Peer with one count of “Knowing Violation of Permit Conditions,” five counts of “Knowing Discharges of Pollutants in Violation of Permit,” one count of “Knowing Discharge of a Pollutant Without a Permit,” six counts of “False Statements on Discharge Monitoring Reports,” and one count of “Mail Fraud.”

Pollution violations can result in severe penalties, including fines and imprisonment.

Pollution from untreated sewage can contaminate the water supply, harming aquatic life and posing health risks to humans.

Pollution from untreated sewage can also result in costly clean-up efforts and damage to local ecosystems.

Peer faces not more than 3 years; not less than $5,000 (if a fine is imposed) and not more than $50,000 per day of violation; or $250,000; or twice the amount of gain or loss; for the first count.

He faces up to two years incarceration and a fine of up to $10,000 for each of the discharge counts, and faces up to 20 years incarceration and a fine of up to $250,000 for the mail fraud count.

Assistant U.S. Attorney David J. Perri and Special Assistant United States Attorney Perry McDaniel, with the Southern District of West Virginia U.S. Attorney’s Office, are prosecuting the case on behalf of the government.

At this time, Peer's status remains as a defendant.

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndwv/pr/hampshire-county-man-indicted-clean-water-act-violations