MAY 9, 2025 - ADMINISTRATIVE ORDER ON CONSENT
On March 29-30, 2022, the EPA and MDEQ conducted a Compliance Sampling Inspection {CSI) at the Facility to evaluate the Facility's compliance with the requirements of Sections 30l{a) and 402 of the CWA, 33 U.S.C. ?? 1311{a) and 1342, .the regulations promulgated thereunder, and the 2021 NPDES Permit. The CSI identified observations of potential violations, including exceedances of effluent
limits in the 2021NPDES Permit. The EPA's findings and recommendations were summarized in a CSI
Report dated May 25, 2022.
On October 23, 2024, the EPA sent the City a Notice of Violation {NOV)/Show Cause letter outlining the effluent limit violations of the 2021 NPDES Permit. Specifically, from April 2021 through March 2024, the City exceeded the effluent limitations for Biochemical Oxygen Demand, 5-day {BODs) (2 of the last 12 quarters), BODs % removal {2 of the last 12 quarters), E. Coli. (2 of the last 12 quarters), Ammonia-Nitrogen (Monthly Average) (7 of the last 12 quarters), Ammonia-Nitrogen (Weekly Average) (7 of the last 12 quarters); and Total Suspended Solids% removal {3 of the last 12 quarters).
On November 8, 2024, the EPA and the City held a Show Cause meeting whereby the City outlined its plans to ultimately pump the effluent of the Facility to a new regional wastewater treatment plant and eventually through a new outfall to the Big Black River.
The City has violated the Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Require