u/WaterTodayMG_2021

May 20, 2026 1210 pm EDT

The Defendant in this case is an environmental consulting and service company, contracted by a private land owner for a streambank stabilization project. An Offer of Proof submitted to Federal Court in the District of Missoula, MT had the Defendant pleading guilty to a felony violation of the Clean Water Act. The charge stems from the Defendant's actions during the project, resulting in negligent discharge of pollutants to waters of the USA.

On March 30, 2007 a private pilot flying over the East Gallatin River captured images of a flow diversion within the river channel near Bozeman. The aerial photos show concrete blocks in the river channel, with heavy machinery for excavation in the river channel, on the dry side of a cofferdam. The concrete block diversion and cofferdam had not been authorized by USACE in the work Permit.

For the full article, see https://wtny.us/

May 18, 2026 226 pm EDT - EXCERPT from WaterToday article.

Consumers want to know, where the water comes from, how quality is assured and how bottled water supports a healthy lifestyle. Here is (some of) what we learned.

Is bottled better than tap?
FDA has a lower tolerance for contaminants in bottled water than what is allowed in tap water. For example, tap water can have up to 15 ppb lead, while bottled water can have no more than 5 ppb. (Source: FDA). Natural spring water from a pristine source may be well worth a premium price, if in fact the source has not been compromised by development or industry. Purified water may equate in quality to tap water run through an in-home filtering process.

For the full article, see https://wtny.us/viewarticle.asp?article=1281

May 13, 2026 410 pm EDT

"As the nation continues important energy extraction activities, exploration companies are increasing the number and size of drilling rig sites and crew camps. Companies must ensure that all waste connected with the drilling process is treated and disposed of safely and legally. Illegally discharged sewage can sicken or injure people, fish and wildlife. Today's sentence show that those who try to save money by ignoring our environmental laws will be held responsible for their actions."

- Jeffrey Martinez, Special Agent in Charge of EPA’s criminal enforcement program in North Dakota

The Defendants in this case are two companies providing sewage disposal services in North Dakota. Both Defendants employed drivers to operate vacuum trucks, pumping out human sewage from crew housing and portable toilets at remote oil well sites. The Defendants admitted to the illegal dumping of domestic sewage sludge, a felony violation of the Clean Water Act.

The incidents leading to these prosecutions occurred in various locations in rural North Dakota. The first Defendant admitted to illegal dumping on a Williams County farm field in January 2012. An EPA Criminal Investigation Division agent declared on affidavit, at least 178 loads of domestic sewage were dumped on the same field from June 2011 to January 2012. The force of the discharge carved channels in the frozen field up to two and a half feet deep, running the length of a football field.

The first Defendant admitted to additional violations, including dumping in Mountrail County up to July of 2012. In all, more than 750 loads of sewage were discharged at the Mountrail site.

For the full article, see https://wtny.us/

CrimeBox briefs are compiled from EPA Criminal Enforcement records.

May 6, 2026 230 pm EDT

CrimeBox
Historic Conviction Fiscal Year 2015; Case ID# CR_2757 (South Dakota)

"This case is a prime example of the Federal government working closely with the State, local communities, businesses, and concerned individuals to ensure our water sources remain safe and well suited for multi-purpose use. Public awareness and support for protecting and enhancing water quality has led to even more vigorous enforcement of environmental laws. People who intentionally jeopardize water supplies will pay the consequences."

- Acting U.S. Attorney Randy Seiler

The Defendants in this case are a South Dakota corporation operating a rural camping resort in Meade County, and a California resident, the owner and individual responsible for the camp, and the events leading to a rural water conflict. The following case notes speak of the investigation, federal prosecution and conviction resulting when the camp constructed an earthen dam in Bear Butte Creek without a permit. The Defendants were charged with a single count, felony violation of the Clean Water Act, for discharge of contaminants from a point source to waters of the USA.

Bear Butte Creek is designated by the State of South Dakota as a cold water fishery, further, designated by US Army Corps of Engineers as a navigable waterway of the United States. During the annual Motorcycle Rally at Sturgis, the creek is enjoyed recreationally by the campers. The creek is relied upon all year by Meade County ranchers for watering livestock on their properties.

In July 2012, concerned citizens called the SD Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) to complain about the low water level in Bear Butte Creek. A DENR representative attended the Glencoe camp, observing a new dam impounding the water.

Investigators measured the dam at the campground 75 feet across, 20 feet wide, and 6 feet high. Estimating 500 cubic yards of material had been hauled in to create a pool extending approximately 500 feet behind the dam. As the dam was built without a permit, notices were delivered. The State and USACE issued letters to the camp management. When the biker dyke was not removed as ordered, a criminal prosecution was initiated.

An unusual sentencing has the co-Defendants bearing equal responsibility, jointly and severally responsible for the restitution payments ordered by the court. The Community Service payment was directed to the benefit of three parties, in roughly equal parts. Meade County received $83,000 for environmental purposes, $83,000 was awarded to the South Dakota Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), and the balance $84,000 allotted to the United States EPA. The probation terms given to each defendant are also equal, four years each.

Community Service Payment: $250,000; Community Service: 100 hours; Probation: 96 months.

See last week's CrimeBox here, "Waste handler fined $100,000, the employee placed on probation for felony CWA violation"

April 29, 2025 159 pm EDT

The national pollutant discharge permitting process allocates to each emitter in a watershed, a measured and monitored volume and concentration that can be safely released within a given time frame. Discharge levels for particular contaminants are calculated in accordance with the total volume and concentration the receiving water body is able to handle, while maintaining intended use. In some cases, the receiving water body is a surface water source for a municipal drinking water treatment facility. In other cases, the receiving water body may be a recreational site for swimming, paddling or fishing. When all parties undertake the lawful discharge permitting process and abide by the limits imposed, the public trust is secured, the drinking water sources and recreational water bodies are maintained in acceptable form. This case demonstrates what happens when industrial polluters fail to comply with the laws protecting Americans' access to clean water.

The Defendants in this case are a waste management company and its employee, hired and trusted to handle waste generated by clients in various industries in Iowa. The corporate Defendant was charged with a single count, felony violation of the Clean Water Act for negligent discharge of a pollutant to US waters. The employee was charged with a single count, felony violation of the CWA in connection to the same incident, knowingly discharging pollutants without a permit.

The incident occurred at the waste management facility in Wapello County, in a watershed of the Des Moines River. The employee Defendant failed to properly assemble a spray irrigator, leaving out the umbilical hose that would have controlled the outfall of leachate and stormwater runoff. Contaminated water ran to Palestine Creek, a tributary of the Des Moines River, protected waters of the USA.

The corporate Defendant did not have a permit to discharge leachate and stormwater to Palestine Creek, pleading guilty to the negligent violation charge. The employee responsible for the incident plead guilty to the criminal violation of the CWA, an admission of knowledge that the discharge was harmful and illegal.

Federal District Court in Northern Iowa heard the case, the judge sentenced the corporate Defendant to a federal fine and two years of probation. The individual Defendant was sentenced to 2 years of probation, with no fine applied.

Federal Fine: $100,000; Probation: 48 months.

See last week's CrimeBox here, "Five years probation and $270,000 restitution levied upon this CWA felon for storing hazardous materials without a permit"

Esteemed feedback requested for an article we are working on:

1. What is your main reason for buying bottled water?

2. Do you have a favorite/preferred brand?

If so, what is it about this brand?

3. Are you refilling large jugs (3 to 5 gal)

or buying case-lots of single use bottles?

Thank you in advance for your responses, the article will be posted here in a week.