On November 6, 2014, B&P Environmental, LLC and Earl Anderson were sentenced. Anderson will complete a two-year term of probation and perform 200 hours of community service. A fine was not assessed. The company will pay a $20,000 fine, complete a three-year term of probation, and implement an environmental compliance plan.

The defendants previously pleaded guilty to Clean Water Act misdemeanor violations (33 U.S.C. §§ 1311(a), 1319(c)(1)(A)) for the negligent discharge of wastewater into a storm drain that led directly to the Potomac River.

B&P was in the business of plumbing, waste water removal, and servicing septic tanks. It was hired by another company, Phoenix Industries, to assist in fulfilling a contract with the National Park Service to clean the storm water sewer system in and around the National Mall. Between May 23, 2011, and June 6, 2011, company employees used a vacuum truck to collect liquid and solid waste from storm water inlets, catch basins, and oil-water separators located around the Mall. At the direction of a supervisor, they discharged the wastes into another storm water inlet that emptied into the Potomac River. Phoenix representative Patrick Brightwell was sentenced for a CWA violation and for making a false claim against the United States (for billing the United States for work not properly completed).

This case was investigated by the U.S. EPA Criminal Investigation Division and the United States Park Police.

• Clean Water Act (CWA)