Pollution Discharges and Sewage Overflows Endanger Public Health
Washington, DC – November 24 – Potomac Riverkeeper Network (PRKN) has sued the Town of La Plata, Maryland over repeated, long-standing, and continuing discharges from the La Plata wastewater treatment plant of sewage and other wastewater pollutants into the Port Tobacco Creek, a tributary of the Potomac River, which violate the Clean Water Act and the Town’s pollution permit, PRKN President Betsy Nicholas announced today.
Nicholas said, “At Potomac Riverkeeper Network, we are dedicated to maintaining water quality in our region and ensuring our waterways are safe for boating, swimming, and fishing. We have long been concerned by pollution violations at this plant, first notifying the Town ten years ago of permit violations. We had hoped that the Town would, after its earlier efforts, succeed in preventing future violations and sewage spills. Unfortunately, these most recent violations demonstrate that continued work and oversight are necessary to stop ongoing pollution violations and sewage overflows and to assure future compliance with the Clean Water Act. We look forward to working together with both the State of Maryland and La Plata to chart a path of compliance for clean water, especially as the Town seeks to continue its growth.”
In July, PRKN sent a 60‐Day Notice of Intent to Sue Letter under the Clean Water Act to the Town and the State of Maryland, advising them of PRKN’s intent to enforce the Act against the Town for its ongoing violations. This notice followed months of pollution reports, as well as field investigations and sampling by Potomac Riverkeeper, Dean Naujoks, and PRKN members downstream of the treatment plant. On September 25, the State of Maryland filed a lawsuit against the Town in state court. PRKN has filed a motion to intervene in the State’s lawsuit and its own complaint in intervention against the Town.
Dean Naujoks, Potomac Riverkeeper, said, “These discharges of fecal coliform, copper, and nitrogen are harmful pollutants posing significant risks to both the environment and human health when present in elevated concentrations in surface waters. The presence of coliform bacteria indicates potential contamination by fecal matter, which may carry pathogens that can cause illness if ingested, making it a key indicator of waterborne disease risk.”
Discharges of nitrogen contribute to nutrient pollution, which fuels “excessive algal growth which can harm aquatic life and, in many instances, produce toxins that can also harm people and animals,” leading EPA to describe it as “one of the most widespread and challenging environmental problems our nation faces.”
Naujoks concluded, “La Plata must act now. Its officials have a duty to protect the health and welfare of local residents, and generations to come. Inaction is inexcusable.”
# # #
About Potomac Riverkeeper Network
Potomac Riverkeeper Network is a registered 501(c)(3) non-profit organization with three regional Waterkeeper branches: Potomac Riverkeeper, Upper Potomac Riverkeeper, and Shenandoah Riverkeeper. PRKN’s mission is to protect the right to clean water for all communities and all those who live in and rely upon the Potomac and Shenandoah watersheds by stopping pollution, making drinking water safe, protecting healthy river habitats, and enhancing use and enjoyment for all.
