FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - May 30, 2002 02-097
OLYMPIA - The city of Ridgefield has been fined $30,000 and three of its former wastewater treatment plant workers' operating certificates have been revoked as a result of the state's civil investigation of improprieties at the city's wastewater treatment plant.
An investigation by the Department of Ecology, based on audits conducted by the city and by Ecology, revealed that monitoring records were knowingly falsified. As a result, there is no assurance that the plant's wastewater discharge to Lake River was properly treated for as long as 20 years, threatening human health and the environment.
The city was fined because, as the treatment plant permit holder, it is responsible for the information submitted by its employees and should have had procedures in place to identify and correct fraudulent actions by staff.
"We [as noted previously, you need to put more of the substance of the release ahead of your first quote -otherwise, there's no context for what she's saying.] appreciate that Ridgefield has been very quick to face up to the problems at its wastewater treatment plant," said Megan White, who manages the Department of Ecology's water-quality program. "The city reported these problems to Ecology as soon as it became aware of them and has been quick to accept responsibility and make changes."
The penalty includes $10,000 apiece for three separate permit violations: improper sampling; improper or fraudulent test procedures; and improper operation and maintenance of the plant.
Extensive technical assistance is available to treatment-plant operators to avoid violations, said White. "But all the training and certification processes in the world cannot assure honesty and integrity. These operators violated the public's trust."
Certifications were revoked for Paul Snoey, the city's public works director, his assistant, Ben A. Hasson, and plant operator Jim W. Strickler.
In addition, two lower-level employees received warning letters that will remain in their personnel files for two years. In addition, the matter has been referred to the state Attorney General's office for possible criminal charges.
The plant is currently operated by Clark County.
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