Greer, SC – Timothy Ronald Howard, 51, former owner of American Waste, Inc., was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison on August 11, 2016, for repeatedly violating the Clean Water Act. The sentence, handed down by U.S. District Judge Timothy M. Cain in Anderson, South Carolina, also included a $10,000 fine and one year of supervised release following his incarceration. The case highlights the EPA’s ongoing efforts to combat illegal dumping and protect public health and the environment.
According to court documents, Howard illegally dumped waste into unauthorized connections to the Renewable Water Resources (ReWa) and Town of Lyman sewage systems on April 2, 2011, and June 18, 2013. These actions bypassed proper waste treatment protocols, potentially contaminating waterways and posing risks to public health. The dumping occurred while Howard operated American Waste, Inc., a septic hauling company servicing the Greenville area.
Obstructing the Investigation
The investigation, a collaborative effort between the EPA, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control (DHEC), and local law enforcement agencies, revealed not only the illegal dumping but also a deliberate attempt by Howard to obstruct justice. Evidence presented at the sentencing hearing indicated that Howard submitted falsified hauling log records to DHEC, omitting over 85% of his actual septage handling activities. He also provided false statements to local law enforcement during the course of the investigation.
Clean Water Act Violations & Penalties
Howard pleaded guilty on March 3, 2016, to two counts of violating pretreatment standards of the Clean Water Act, specifically 33 U.S.C. § 1317 and 33 U.S.C. § 1319(c)(2)(A). These statutes prohibit the discharge of pollutants into waterways without proper permits and establish penalties for knowingly violating pretreatment standards designed to protect publicly owned treatment works. The severity of the sentence reflects the intentional and repeated nature of Howard’s offenses, as well as his attempts to cover up his actions.
EPA & DOJ Response
“Intentional acts by rogue septic haulers pose serious risks to the health of our community and environment,” stated Andy Castro, Assistant Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in Atlanta. “EPA and its law enforcement partners are committed to the protection of public health and will continue to pursue those who blatantly undermine those efforts.” Acting U.S. Attorney Beth Drake emphasized the office’s prioritization of environmental crimes, stating that such offenses carry “a serious cost for our society.”
Reporting Environmental Violations
Authorities urge the public to report any suspected environmental violations to the EPA. Information can be submitted through the EPA’s website at http://www2.epa.gov/enforcement/report-environmental-violations or by calling 1-800-241-1754. The successful prosecution of this case serves as a warning to others operating in the waste management industry that non-compliance with environmental regulations will be met with serious consequences.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Timothy Ronald Howard
- Crime: Illegal Dumping, Obstruction of Justice
- State: South Carolina
- Year: 2016
- Sentencing: 18 months imprisonment, $10,000 fine, 1 year supervised release
- Statutes Violated: 33 U.S.C. § 1317, 33 U.S.C. § 1319(c)(2)(A)
- Agencies Involved: EPA, SC DHEC, Greenville County Sheriff’s Office, Lyman Police Department, Duncan Police Department
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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