[StBernard] Compliance and Enforcement News Release (Region 6): EPA Orders City of Opelousas to Stop Discharge

[Westley Annis]

EPA Orders City of Opelousas to Stop Discharge 

  

(Dallas, Texas - April 21, 2009) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),
in coordination with the State of Louisiana, has issued a Cease and Desist
Administrative Order to the City of Opelousas, Louisiana, ordering the city
to immediately stop discharging raw sewage into Bayou Callehan. 

  

The unauthorized discharge, located behind property located at 3406 Ashwood
Drive, Opelousas, Louisiana, has occurred since approximately January 28,
2009. 

  

On January 28, 2009, following a citizens's complaint, the Louisiana
Department of Health and Hospitals-Office of Public Health (OPH), conducted
an inspection which confirmed that a sewer force main was broken and
discharging raw sewage into Bayou Callehan.  The sewer force main was
damaged during a rainstorm when debris flowing down the bayou collided with
the main, causing it to break and leak.  

  

On April 1, 2009, and April 3, 2009, OPH conducted subsequent inspections
and determined that the force main had not yet been repaired.  

  

Based on these findings, EPA has ordered the City of Opelousas to
immediately stop discharging raw sewage into Bayou Callehan and within 15
days take whatever corrective action is necessary to eliminate and prevent
recurrence of the discharge. 

  

The City of Opelousas has also been ordered to submit a written report to
EPA within 20 days detailing the specific actions taken to effectively cease
and desist the ongoing unauthorized discharge 

  

More about activities in EPA Region 6: http://www.epa.gov/region6
<http://www.epa.gov/region6>  

  

EPA audio file is available at
http://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/podcast/apr2009.html
<http://www.epa.gov/region6/6xa/podcast/apr2009.html>  

  

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