PHILADELPHIA — A federal judge is considering a proposed $365,500 settlement by the Environmental Protection Agency with a Pennsylvania building materials manufacturer over alleged safe drinking water violations.
The proposed settlement reached by the EPA and U.S. Justice Department with Malvern-based CertainTeed Corp. represents the largest civil penalty payment required by the Safe Drinking Water Act over alleged safe drinking water violations in Louisiana, the EPA said in a statement.
"This is an excellent example of EPA and Louisiana working together to ensure compliance with safe drinking water standards," EPA Region 6 Compliance Assurance and Enforcement Director Cheryl Seager was quoted in the agency's statement. "We are committed to protecting the public health and will not hesitate to hold companies accountable who refuse to comply with the law."
U.S. District Court Judge Mitchell S. Goldberg
The EPA's Aug. 24 statement was issued the day after its complaint and the proposed settlement were filed simultaneously in U.S. District Court for Pennsylvania's Eastern District. The case is assigned to U.S. District Court Judge Mitchell S. Goldberg
Under the proposed settlement, CertainTeed agreed to pay about $365,500 in civil penalties over alleged Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) violations at its Lake Charles Polymer Plant in Westlake, Louisiana. The company manufactures polymers at the Calcasieu Parish plant, according to the proposed settlement.
CertainTeed did not admit to any wrongdoing or violation of law in the proposed settlement. Parties in the case agreed, "without adjudication or admission of facts or law, that settlement of this matter is in the public interest and entry of this stipulation of settlement and order without further litigation is an appropriate resolution of the disputed claims alleged in the complaint," the proposed settlement said.
Once the penalties are paid, the EPA, Justice Department and CertainTeed will submit a joint stipulation for dismissal of the case with prejudice, according to the proposed settlement.