The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality says Severn Trent Services will pay $955,000 to settle the water problems and violations it made in Hugo, reaching the largest water quality related settlement in the state department’s history.
At the same time, Severn Trent Services has just been approved by the Oklahoma City Water Utilities Trust to take over Oklahoma city’s wastewater treatment system and run the four wastewater treatment plants and facilities at a first-year cost of $13.2 million. The city council will take a final vote on Tuesday.
The company’s violations in Hugo occurred from 2013 through 2015 and Severn Trent Services agreed to pay a $25,000 cash penalty to DEQ while the remaining $930,000 will be used for DEQ supplemental environmental projects in small communities.
DEQ Executive Director Scott Thompson wants to use some of the $930,000 to assist the city of Hugo in upgrading its water treatment plant.
Originally, the DEQ leveled a $3.17 million fine against the company for mishandling operations in Hugo. An investigation by the state agency revealed chlorine problems in the system 789 times in 313 days over a more than two year period. Among the violations committed by Severn Trent Services was failing to alert the public and the DEQ about the drinking water problems.
But the legal problems for Severn Trent Services aren’t finished just because it reached a settlement with the State. It still faces a lawsuit filed by Tara Lowrimore, a resident of Hugo who wants her suit to be classified as a class-action suit.
