Michael S. Regan 16th Administrator, United States Environmental Protection Agency | Official Website
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued an order to the city of Marietta, Ohio, to address alleged violations of the Clean Water Act at its wastewater treatment facility located at 440 East Eighth Street.
According to the EPA, pollutants including fecal coliform and E. coli were discharged in amounts exceeding permit limits into the Ohio River. Additionally, untreated sewage was released on multiple occasions into the Ohio River, the Muskingum River, and a tributary of the Muskingum River.
Under this order, Marietta is required to submit a plan to the EPA detailing upgrades for its plant and improvements to its collection system. These measures aim to address chronic permit effluent exceedances, treatment bypasses, and sanitary sewer overflows. The order also addresses other operational, maintenance, reporting, and monitoring violations identified during a July 2023 inspection.
The city includes areas with environmental justice concerns. Environmental justice ensures fair treatment and meaningful involvement of all individuals regardless of race, color, national origin, or income in environmental law development and enforcement.
For more information about the Clean Water Act or EPA’s enforcement process, visit the EPA website.
