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FORMER TENNESSEE PLANT PRESIDENT PLEADS GUILTY TO CLEAN WATER ACT VIOLATION
Release Date: 10/12/2001
Contact Information:
FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, OCT. 12, 2001
FORMER TENNESSEE PLANT PRESIDENT PLEADS
GUILTY TO CLEAN WATER ACT VIOLATION
Luke C. Hester 202-564-7818 / hester.luke@epa.gov
GUILTY TO CLEAN WATER ACT VIOLATION
Luke C. Hester 202-564-7818 / hester.luke@epa.gov
Billy Ray Foxworth of Ringold, Ga., former president of Hydro-Vac Services, Inc., pleaded guilty on Sept. 27 to Clean Water Act violation involving wastewater discharge jeopardizing a local waterway. Hydro-Vac stored and treated industrial wastewater before releasing the treated water to city sewers. Foxworth admitted that he filed false discharge reports to city officials. Levels of copper in the discharged wastewater were as much as 17 times the federal limit and levels of zinc as much as 14 times the limit. Discharging wastewater with high levels of copper and zinc can prevent sewage treatment systems from properly treating wastewater. This can lead to the discharge of untreated sewage to surface waters with the prospect of making those waters unsafe for fish, wildlife and human recreation. When sentenced, Foxworth faces up to two years in prison and/or a fine of up to $250,000. The case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s office in Chattanooga.
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