SAN FRANCISCO - The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently
fined a Nevada-based developer $43,000 for violating its underground
injection control permit at the 240-home Pineview Estates subdivision in
Gardnerville, Nev., a violation of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.
PTP, Inc. violated an EPA-issued permit that authorizes subsurface
injection of wastewater from the company's treatment facility located at
Pineview Estates. The regulation of subsurface injection protects
underground aquifers which are potential drinking water sources.
"The EPA's permit for this development was designed to protect
underground sources of drinking water, and public health, within the
community," said Alexis Strauss, Water Division director for the EPA's Pacific
Southwest region. "PTP must comply with all permit terms and conditions to
ensure the protection of water resources in this area."
The EPA inspected the development several times between 2003 and
2007, and discovered effluent surfacing in the drainfield and other conditions
that are violations of PTP's UIC permit.
The 63-acre site, now in its final phase of development, is located six
miles south of Gardnerville, and is an individually-owned Indian trust allotment
administered by the Bureau of Indian Affairs. The EPA oversees underground
injection on tribal lands that do not have approved programs in place.
Companies must comply with underground injection control regulations of
the Safe Drinking Water Act for wastewater treatment and disposal systems
which have the potential to impact subsurface waters. The Safe Drinking
Water Act regulates all water sources that could reasonably expect to supply
drinking water to the public in the future.
PTP is now working closely with the EPA to come into compliance with UIC
permit requirements.
For more information about the Safe Drinking Water Act, and EPA's
underground injection control program, please visit:
http://www.epa.gov/safewater/index.html.
