Latest summary of EPA actions to ensure safe drinking water in Wyoming

Latest summary of EPA actions to ensure safe drinking water in Wyoming

Contact Information: Lisa Kahn, 303-312-6896, kahn.lisa@epa.gov

 

(Denver, Colo. – November 22, 2010) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 8 issued one emergency administrative order, 20 administrative orders, and settled seven penalty actions under the Safe Drinking Water Act in Wyoming from April 1 through September 30, 2010.

 

EPA issues an emergency order when there is a potential for imminent and substantial endangerment to public health, such as when contaminants have been identified in a public water system or when the public water system has experienced a disruption in the system that may endanger public health.

 

On June 6, 2010, EPA Region 8 issued an emergency administrative order against the Town of Dixon after the system ran out of water in its storage tank, leading to a loss of pressure in the distribution system. In such situations, potentially harmful contaminants can enter the distribution system through cracks and leaks in the pipes. The Town of Dixon took necessary precautions to protect the residents during the pressure loss, and implemented a plan to prevent future loss-of-pressure events in its water distribution system. 

 

EPA issues an administrative order when a public water system violates the Safe Drinking Water Act and its regulations. An administrative order requires the public water system to comply with the drinking water regulations that it violated and includes action items for returning to compliance. 

 

EPA issued administrative orders to the following public water systems:

 

A Bar A Ranch, Encampment

Ashley National Forest (Firehole Recreation Area), Sweetwater County

B&K MHP, Riverton 

Baggs Man Camp, Casper

Bennor Subdivision, Gillette

Bentonite Performance Minerals/Colony, Colony

Bryan’s Place, Rozet

Burlington Resources, Lysite

Cozy Mobile Home Park, Riverton

Flying J Inc, Cheyenne

Four J School, Gillette

Little Bear Inn, Cheyenne

Lodore Supper Club, Sheridan

Manville, Town of

Rawhide Resort, Dubois

Recluse School, Gillette

Sawmill Lodge, Dubois

Snowy Range Ski Area, Laramie

Turpin Meadow Ranch, Moran

Wapiti Elementary School, Cody

 

EPA issues a complaint for penalty when a public water system violates an administrative order. The penalty amount is based on a combination of the seriousness of the violations and the size of the population at risk, among other factors. EPA settled penalty actions with the following public water systems, with the penalty amount noted:  

 

Evanston Port of Entry - WY Department of Transportation, Rock Springs

Penalty Amount: $4,500

 

Grand Teton Park RV Resort, Moran

Penalty Amount: $5,000

 

Q Roadhouse - BBQ-5, Wilson

Penalty Amount: $2,500

 

Rock River, Town of

Penalty Amount: $4,500

 

Southside Well Improvement and Service District, Gillette

Penalty Amount: $1,200

 

Sunnyside Mobile Home Park, Riverton

Penalty Amount: $3,000

 

Wycolo Lodge, Laramie

Penalty Amount: $1,200

 

The Safe Drinking Water Act establishes specific regulations to assure the safety of public drinking water. EPA Region 8 directly implements the drinking water program throughout Indian country in the Region and in Wyoming and also oversees implementation of the Act in Colorado, Montana, North Dakota, South Dakota and Utah. 

Note: If a link above doesn't work, please copy and paste the URL into a browser.

View all Region 8 News Releases 

---

You can view or update your subscriptions or e-mail address at any time on your Subscriber Preferences Page. All you will need is your e-mail address. If you have any questions or problems e-mail support@govdelivery.com for assistance.  This service is provided to you at no charge by U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

Sent by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency · 1200 Pennsylvania Avenue NW · Washington DC 20460 · 202-564-4355