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WORKER AT TEXAS COMPANY INDICTED FOR WATER VIOLATION

Release Date: 10/07/99
Contact Information:

      United States Communications, Education,
      Environmental Protection And Media Relations
      Agency (1703)


      Press Advisory
      Following are some Agency developments which may interest you. If you need more information on any of these subjects, call the appropriate contact.
FOR RELEASE: THURSDAY, OCT. 7, 1999
WORKER AT TEXAS COMPANY INDICTED FOR WATER VIOLATION

Robert W. Hopkins, an employee at the E. Henderson Grease and Septic Tank Cleaning Service in New Caney, Texas, was indicted on Sept. 23, in U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas in Houston for allegedly violating the Clean Water Act. The charges allege that from 1997 until 1999, Hopkins dumped sewage and other septic waste into the San Jacinto and Trinity Rivers. The San Jacinto River flows into Lake Houston which is Houston’s major source of drinking water. Sewage contains E. coli
and other bacteria and pathogens which can cause a variety of infections when ingested. If convicted, Hopkins faces a maximum sentence of up to three years in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000. The case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division, the Texas Natural Resource Conservation Commission and the Texas Parks
and Wildlife Department and is being prosecuted by the U.S. Department of Justice.


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