EPA, BIA, and Choctaw Nation Celebrate Safer Drinking Water at Jones Academy

From EPA:

EPA, BIA, and Choctaw Nation Celebrate Safer Drinking Water at Jones Academy

Contact: Joe Hubbard or Jennah Durant at 214-665-2200 or r6press@epa.gov  

DALLAS – (Nov. 29, 2016) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Choctaw Nation and the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) recognized Jones Academy for successfully addressing water quality challenges at the school and providing safer drinking water for their students. Earlier today, the group highlighted the improvements at the school, located near Hartshorne, Okla. The project supported EPA’s EJ 2020 action plan, which is the five-year plan for achieving environmental justice goals.

“At EPA, it’s our job to help every community have equal access to clean air, water and land,” said Regional Administrator Ron Curry. “This example shows how tribes, local leaders and EPA develop solutions to make communities great places to live, play and work.”

On May 28, 2014, EPA issued an Administrative Order to Jones Academy through BIA to correct disinfection by-products violations. BIA worked with the school to protect the health and well-being of Native American youth.

“The partnership between EPA, the BIA and Choctaw Nation was significant in ensuring safe drinking water for the kids at Jones Academy,” said Chief Gary Batton. “I want to thank everyone who was dedicated to improving the water system, from the planning stages until it was complete.”

BIA formed a multi-disciplinary team comprised of representatives from EPA, Jones Academy, Choctaw Nation, Eastern Oklahoma Tribal Schools, and local stakeholders to develop a plan to modify the existing water treatment system. Within a year’s time span, the engineering plans were developed, finalized and construction began to improve the system. The aggressive approach allowed system modifications, completion and ultimately federal compliance. 

The partnership exemplified federal, tribal and local entities success towards the common goal of providing a safe and healthy environment for local youth.  

The EJ 2020 Action Agenda, or EJ 2020, focuses attention on environmental and public health issues and challenges facing the nation’s minority, low-income, tribal and indigenous populations. EJ 2020 summarizes EPA’s priority areas and significant national environmental justice challenges, objectives, and measures for success. Under EJ 2020, EPA will advance environmental justice to a new level and make a more visible difference in the environmental and public health outcomes for all people in the nation. Strengthening our collaborations with the communities we serve, our governmental partners and interested stakeholders will be key to achieving this vision.

Environmental Justice is the fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all people regardless of race, color, national origin, or income in the development, implementation and enforcement of environmental laws, regulations and policies.

Learn more about EPA’s work in New Mexico: https://www.epa.gov/ok

Learn more about EJ 2020: https://www.epa.gov/environmentaljustice/ej-2020-action-agenda-epas-environmental-justice-strategy

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On Twitter: https://twitter.com/EPAregion6 

Activities in EPA Region 6: https://www.epa.gov/aboutepa/epa-region-6-south-central

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EPA issues complaint to Tahiti Nui for failing to close cesspools

Press release:

EPA issues complaint to Tahiti Nui for failing to close cesspools

Kauai restaurant failed to respond to demands to comply with requirements

HONOLULU – The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency initiated an enforcement action under the Safe Drinking Water Act against Christian Marston and Tahiti Nui Enterprises, Inc. LLC for failing to close three large capacity cesspools in Hanalei, Kauai.

“EPA is committed to protecting Hawaii’s vital water resources by closing these illegal large capacity cesspools,” said Jared Blumenfeld, EPA’s Regional Administrator for the Pacific Southwest. “Although almost 3,000 cesspools have been closed, an alarming number are still in use.”

EPA has inspected Marston’s property, including the Tahiti Nui Restaurant and Cocktail Bar, multiple times and notified Marston that his establishment was in violation of the federal regulations. In 2006, the owner acknowledged the operation of large capacity cesspools and retained the services of a professional engineer to design a state-approved individual wastewater system to replace the cesspools.

However, in 2010 EPA determined that Marston had failed to comply with the requirements to close and convert the three cesspools serving his property. As a result of the continued noncompliance, EPA is now seeking penalties of up to $177,500, the amount authorized under the Safe Drinking Water Act, in addition to prompt closure and replacement of the cesspools with an approved wastewater system.

The facility is located in a "priority watershed," as designated by the State of Hawaii and EPA, where use of the large capacity cesspools poses a significant risk to underground sources of drinking water and nearby surface waters.

A large capacity cesspool discharges untreated sewage from multiple dwellings, or a non-residential location that serves 20 or more people per day. EPA regulations prohibited new large capacity cesspool construction after April 2000 and required closure of existing large cesspools as of April 2005. The regulations do not apply to single-family homes connected to their own individual cesspools or to non-residential cesspools that do not have the capacity to serve 20 or more people.

Cesspools, which are used more widely in Hawaii than any other state, discharge raw sewage into the ground, where disease-causing pathogens and other contaminants can pollute groundwater, streams and the ocean.  Large capacity cesspools are used by restaurants, hotels, office complexes, and multiple dwellings, such as duplexes, apartments and condominiums, to dispose their sanitary waste.

For more information on this particular complaint visit: http://www.epa.gov/region9/enforcement/pubnotices/pubnotice-tahiti-nui.html

For more information on the large capacity cesspool ban, please visit: http://www.epa.gov/region09/water/groundwater/uic-hicesspools.html

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