News Release: CALIFORNIA Regional Water Quality Control Board

Central Valley RegionThe Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board issued an Administrative Civil Liability complaint for assessment of $141,000 in mandatory minimum penalties for violations of effluent limitations at the city of Tracy wastewater treatment plant.

The penalties are for violations of effluent limitations for biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), which can be harmful to fish, total coliform organisms, which may cause the water to be unsafe to drink or for swimming, and chlorodibromomethane, and dichlorobromomethane, which are present as a result of disinfecting water with chlorine and are believed to cause cancer if found in drinking water at high concentrations.

The violations occurred at the facility from January 1, 2003 through January 31, 2008.

The Central Valley Regional Water Quality Control Board may consider the complaint at its regular board meeting on October 23 or 24, 2008.