DEQ fines Brookings for wastewater violations

Brookings, OR—The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has fined Brookings $5,100 for failing to submit a timely renewal application and allowing its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit to expire. As a result, the city is discharging treated wastewater to waters of the state without a permit.

The city’s five-year permit expired on Oct. 31, 2016. The city filed an application to renew its permit on Jan. 24, 2017 and DEQ is processing the application. DEQ does not plan to assess further fines for the lapsed permit as long as the city complies with the requirements of the expired permit. The city has recently hired Jacobs CH2 to assist with the operation of its wastewater treatment plant.

Brookings has until March 21 to appeal the fine.

View the enforcement letter: http://www.oregon.gov/deq/nr/030818brookings.pdf

Contact:
Katherine Benenati, Public Affairs Specialist, Eugene, 541-686-7997, benenati.katherine@deq.state.or.us