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EPA Cites Sussex County Mobile Home Park for Unlawful Sewage Discharge

Release Date: 11/6/2001
Contact Information: Roy Seneca, (215) 814-5567

Roy Seneca: (215) 814-5567

PHILADELPHIA – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency is seeking $74,000 in penalties from Community Management, Inc. and Larry’s Homes, Inc. (LHI) for allegedly violating the Clean Water Act at a wastewater treatment plant at the Colonial Estates Mobile Home Park, on County Route 331 near Millsboro, Sussex County, Del.

According to EPA’s administrative complaint, plant operator Community Management and LHI, its parent corporation, violated pollution limits in the Clean Water Act permit issued to the plant, which discharges treated wastewater from the mobile home park to a tributary of the Indian River.

EPA alleges that between September 1996 and April 2001, the facility had 44 violations on permit limits for the discharge of coliform, suspended solids, and biochemical oxygen demand (depleting the water’s oxygen). EPA also cited the plant operators for the six late submissions of monthly water pollution monitoring reports.

Under the Clean Water Act, EPA works with the states to establish water quality standards that protect rivers, lakes, and streams. States such as Delaware with approved Clean Water Act permit programs establish discharge limits and monitoring requirements that assure compliance with these water quality standards.

The companies have requested a settlement conference with EPA on the enforcement action. They also have the right to a hearing to contest the alleged violation and proposed penalty.