Department of Environmental Quality Director Steven E. Chester announced that the DEQ has entered into an Administrative Consent Order with the village of Kingston, Tuscola County, to resolve civil violations occurring at the village's Wastewater Stabilization Lagoon that included multiple effluent operation violations. In addition, the village installed a drinking water main without obtaining a permit in accordance with the Safe Drinking Water Act.

"Permits are issued to protect Michigan's waters and provide our residents with the assurance that their drinking water is safe," said Director Chester. "When permit requirements are violated, the DEQ is obligated to take appropriate and timely action to assure that the facility returns to compliance."

The consent order entered between the DEQ and Kingston resolves the violations by requiring the village to pay a civil fine in the amount of $31,875, conduct appropriate corrective actions, and reimburse the DEQ for enforcement costs. As part of the compliance program contained in the consent order, the village has agreed to evaluate and correct the village's sanitary sewer collection, evaluate the village's WWSL capacity, submit a written report to the DEQ of the findings, and repair any deficiencies and capacity problems identified within this report.

Editor's note: DEQ news releases are available on the department's Internet home page at www.michigan.gov/deq.

"Protecting Michigan's Environment, Ensuring Michigan's Future"

Revised May 6, 2008 by Pat Watson