Greeneville Water Fined For Violations

By Walter F. Roche Jr

The Greeneville Water Commission has been fined $77,350 for a series of violations at the Denzil Bowman Wastewater Treatment Plant, according to the state Department of Environment and Conservation.
A consent order posted on the DEP web site states that multiple violations occurred between Jan. 1, 2015 and Sept. 30, 2017. The violations involved effluent limits and pretreatment requirements, according to the notice.
Under the consent agreement the water commission must pay an upfront fine of $11,644. The remainder, called a contingent penalty of $65,981, will come due if the commission fails to make a series of improvements by agreed deadlines. They include the installation of an ultraviolet disinfection system and submission of a series of reports on the progress of the other improvements.

Order Summary

The Respondent, Greeneville Water Commission, owns and operates the Denzil Bowman Wastewater Treatment Plant located in Greene County, TN. This Order addresses ongoing NPDES effluent violations, overflows, and pretreatment violations for the period 1/1/15-9/30/17. This Consent Order assesses a total CIVIL PENALTY of $77,625.00, with an upfront penalty of $11,644.00, due on or before the 31st day after execution of the order. The Order assesses a contingent penalty of $65,981.00, contingent upon the requirements of the order being met. The Consent Order assesses DAMAGES in the amount of $45.80. This Consent Order and Assessment requires the Respondent to submit, initiate, and complete an approved CAP/ER on the collection system, complete installation of its UV disinfection system, submit its MOM program, submit annual MOM and CAP/ER update reports, submit and implement a SORP, submit its SOPs, submit its FOG program, submit its public notification for its revised SUO, submit an updated IWS, submit the technical evaluations of its local limits, initiate reporting MORs electronically, submit a final report on the effectiveness of all corrective actions, and achieve compliance with the permit.