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Minnesota Company Charged with Violating Clean Water Act
Release Date: 10/01/2003
Contact Information:
Luke C. Hester 202-564-7818 / hester.luke@epa.gov
(10/01/2003) On Sept. 24, Continental Engineering and Manufacturing Inc. (CEM) of Chaska, Minn., was charged with allegedly violating the Clean Water Act by dumping waste material into a storm drain which empties into East Chaska Creek. The charges allege that John Anderson, former Chief Executive Officer of CEM, directed two employees to dump industrial wastes that included cutting machine oils into the storm drain. Dumping industrial chemicals into drains that lead to surface waters can harm fish and wildlife and can also make the waters unsafe for human recreation and use as a source of municipal drinking water. On several occasions prior to the dumping, the Carver County Environmental Services Department had instructed Anderson and Continental Engineering to properly dispose of the accumulated liquid wastes. The case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division (Chicago) and the case is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Minneapolis. The filing of federal charges is merely an allegation and all defendants are presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty in a court of law.
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