By Sharon Michael,The Chronicle, 8/27/98
The state Department of Ecology announced Wednesday it has fined the town of Pe Ell $500 for dismissing the town's only certified wastewater treatment plant operator before finding a replacement, and without notifying the agency.
Richard Smith was dismissed by Mayor John Penberth at the end of the workday Aug. 12, two weeks short of the end of his six month probationary period.
Aug. 17, Ecology officials said their inspectors found signs of neglect at the plant.
Inspectors reportedly found:
Ecology enforcement officer Kathleen Emmett said the old plant needs a certified operator keeping a close eye on operations.
"In the past, even with a certified operator, we've documented that the plant's performance is marginal," Emmett said in an official press release.
The water and sewer plants are now being operated by Bregg Phelps, a seven-year town employee who is state-certified to operate the water plant, but who is not legally qualified to run the sewer plant.
Last week, Emmett said the town could be fined between $500 and $1 0,000 per day per violation.
But Penberth said he understands the $500 fine to be a onetime penalty.
That was confirmed this morning by Sandy Howard Rudnick, public information manager for Ecology.
However, she did say more penalties could be levied if Pe Ell does not put a certified operator in charge of the plant.
Town officials haven't decided if they will appeal the fine.
"The city attorney wants the news releases to come through him," Penberth said. "That might be an indication of something coming - that we might want to challenge it."
He said the issue will be on Tuesday night's council agenda.
In May, Ecology issued a moratorium on new sewer hookups until the town can demonstrate its system has the capacity to handle additional wastewater volumes.
In June, Pe Ell was awarded nearly $750,000 in state loans and grants for water and sewer system repairs.
The town is also under a boilwater order issued in mid-April by the state Health Department.
Penberth says getting the boilwater order lifted is his first priority. Water plant repairs and water line replacement projects totaling $250,000 are now in the planning stage.
Sharon Michael can be reached by e-mail at smichael@chronline.com or by calling 807-8237.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE -- Aug. 26, 1998
98-151
Contact: Sandy Howard Rudnick, public information manager, (360) 407-6239
Kathleen Emmett, water-quality specialist, (360) 407-6281
OLYMPIA - After a history of staffing difficulties at Pe Ell's wastewater treatment plant, the state Department of Ecology (Ecology) yesterday fined the town for dismissing the plant's certified operator without making provisions for a replacement.
The absence of a certified sewer-plant operator threatens the water quality of the upper Chehalis River," said Kathleen Emmett, a water-quality specialist with Ecology. "People who enjoy the river for recreation -- not to mention all aquatic life in the river -- are placed at risk with no certified operator keeping a close eye on the plant's operations."
A $500 fine was levied against Pe Ell for leaving the position absent and for not notifying Ecology about the staffing shortfall.
On Aug. 17, Ecology site inspectors found various signs of neglect in Pe Ell's wastewater treatment plant. The influent bar screen had not been cleaned, the scum ring around the clarifier was caked with sludge, and the chlorine contact chamber was covered with green scum.
"Pe Ell needs to stay on top of its plant's operations," said Emmett. "In the past, even with a certified operator, we've documented that the plant's performance is marginal."