News Release, Potomac RiverKeeper Network
Mattawoman Wastewater Treatment Plant Sewage, Nutrient and Sediment Discharges Violate the Clean Water Act
Washington, D.C. – November 14 – Potomac Riverkeeper Network (PRKN) today filed a Notice of Intent to sue Charles County, Maryland’s Board of Public Works in federal court for the ongoing unlawful discharges of wastewater from the county’s Mattawoman Wastewater Treatment Plant into the Potomac River and Mattawoman Creek.
The Notice of Intent to Sue letter alleges multiple violations of the Clean Water Act that have resulted in pollution of the Potomac and Mattawoman Creek with sewage bacteria, sediment, nitrogen, and phosphorus.
PRKN is represented by the Georgetown Law School Institute for Public Representation on this matter.
Potomac Riverkeeper Dean Naujoks said, “Our investigation shows that this sewage plant violated its permit on numerous occasions over at least the past five years, and the pollution continues.
These illegal discharges are fouling the Potomac River and Mattawoman Creek, a beautiful tidal tributary that is treasured by local residents and popular with paddlers and anglers. The public has a right to clean water in our rivers and streams, and Charles County has a legal and ethical duty to operate its wastewater plant in compliance with state and federal law.
Our goal is to compel the County to immediately clean up its act at this facility and cease this illegal pollution activity.”
Under the Clean Water Act, Charles County Board of Public Works now has 60 days to respond to PRKN’s allegations. If nothing changes by day 61, PRKN is prepared to file suit in federal court to enforce the law.