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Department of Ecology News Release - May 8, 2009
09-106
YAKIMA – A Benton County well driller has been fined $24,000 by the Washington Department of Ecology (Ecology) for numerous violations associated with well construction over the past three years.
Thomas St. George, of St. George Enterprises LLC, West Richland, Wash., has been cited for failing to follow well drilling protocols designed to protect consumers and the environment. Under state law, well drillers must follow specific construction and maintenance standards to protect water quality and groundwater resources.
The penalty cites St. George for routinely failing to comply with regulations, including failing to notify the agency when a well was going to be drilled, failing to submit information about the depth and geologic profile of a well, and failing to provide identification tags for wells. In some situations customers were charged fees that were not subsequently submitted to the Department of Ecology.
“These deficiencies have left customers without the assurance they have a legal water supply.” said Avery Richardson, a well drilling coordinator for Ecology in Yakima.
St. George has been ordered to pay any outstanding fees, and submit completed reports and place identification tags on all of the wells identified in the penalty document.
He has 30 days to pay the penalty and comply with the order. Mr. St. George has the right to appeal the penalty and order with the Pollution Control Hearings Board.
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Media Contact: Joye Redfield-Wilder, 509- 575-2610; jred461@ecy.wa.gov
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
