The Department of Environmental Quality conducted an inspection of Buffalo Oklahoma's Wastewater Treatment Compound.
In addition to the DEQ inspector, also on site for the inspection was Town of Buffalo Trustees; Georganna Buss & Susan Harper & Town Manager; Joe McVicker.
These are the DEQ rules violations for the Wastewater Treatment Facility of the Town of Buffalo:
In violation of Statutes and/or rule # 252:619-1-4 Discharges prohibited.
General requirements for total retention lagoon systems
(OOPS!) The Town of Buffalo is responsible for prohibited discharges of wastewater.
The rule states:
(d)The permittee shall operate and maintain the total retention lagoon system so that no part of the system bypasses or discharges wastes or wastewater.
All such bypasses and/or discharges shall be
considered a violation of this Chapter and be subject to
enforcement as an unpermitted discharge to waters of the
State in violation of the Oklahoma Pollutant Discharge
Elimination System Act.
An Unpermitted Pollutant Discharge {Say that 5 times fast!} of sewage into the State's waters? Say what? Who's responsible? Is lynching still allowed? Which way did he go? Which way did he go? I taught I taw a putty tat!
(YUK!) The Town of Buffalo Oklahoma failed to clean up the prohibited discharge and prevent its recurrence.
The rule is: (2) Required response.
Whenever a bypass or discharge occurs, the permittee shall ensure that immediate action is taken to stop, contain, clean up and prevent recurrence of the bypass or discharge.
Some paper towels, a wet vac, modeling clay, super glue and some duct tape and we're back in business!
The Town of Buffalo Oklahoma has been charged with 2 violations in that they failed to get the permits required to conduct their digging, draining and discharging - "creative landscaping" - escapade.
The rule # 252:619-1-3. says: Permit requirements:
Pursuant to OAC 252:656, permits are required for the construction or modification of any non-industrial wastewater total retention lagoon system.(2 violations)
Under the rule # 252:619-3-1. Collection systems serving total retention lagoons:
The Town of Buffalo was again in violation because of many factors listed below.
FYI: The main pump in the pump station had been inoperable, for what we are told is 5 years, and the backup pump, then used as the main pump, failed in April 2008. We are now "pumpless" - Ohhh nooo Mr. Bill.
Failed pumps? Unpermitted discharge of Pollutants? Eliminating elimination systems? Swimmers Ear? Carpel Tunnel? I'm so confused!
The subsection which applies is (d)
(d) Pump stations.
The permittee shall ensure that pump stations are properly maintained and operated by doing the following:
(1) Securing pump stations to prevent unauthorized access.
(2) Maintaining the pumps in working condition.
(3) Keeping the screens free of debris to prevent clogging.
(4) Maintaining the required alarms in working order.
(5) Maintaining the required back-up generators and/or portable engine driven pumps in working order.
(6) Maintaining a complete set of operational instructions, emergency procedures and maintenance
schedules.
Here's another violation.
This time of rule # 252:619-3-2. Under the Heading: Total retention lagoons
(a) Erosion control.
The permittee shall prevent erosion
of the lagoon by:
(1) Maintaining a 1:3 slope on the inner and outer
dikes of the lagoon, unless permitted otherwise;
Evidently the slopes have slid and the permits were hid, that's what they did!
Another rule violation was cited: 252:619-3-2. Total retention lagoons
(a) Erosion control. The permittee shall prevent erosion
of the lagoon by:
(3) Removing trees and deep-root vegetation from the
dikes and bottom of the lagoon in a timely manner to maintain the integrity and stability of the lagoon;
Unstable? Deep Rooted in Dikes? Lacking in Integrity? Sounds like the editor of Inside Buffalo Magazine!
