LENEXA, Kan. (KCTV) – An Arkansas-based water solutions company has agreed to pay $610,000 after allegations of unregulated wastewater spreading practices were made against it.

THE Environmental Protection Agency says based in Arkansas Denali Water Solutions agreed to pay $610,000 in civil penalties as part of a settlement for violations of the Drinking water law.

EPA officials said Denali provides services to spray sewage sludge onto the ground for treatment, which is regulated by the Clean Water Act.

Under regulations, environmental leaders noted that those who spray wastewater are required to collect pollution data before they can do so. These companies are also required to apply their wastewater at a rate that limits the amount of nitrogen to an amount usable for crops and vegetation.

“EPA biosolids regulations protect wetlands, streams, rivers and groundwater from harmful sewage sludge pollution,” said Meg McCollister, EPA Region 7 Administrator. . “This regulation demonstrates EPA’s commitment to the health of watersheds and groundwater aquifers, which, in turn, protects wildlife habitat and drinking water sources. »

Since at least 2016, the EPA has reported that Denali may have exceeded these rates in Arizona and Southern California. Company officials failed to obtain the information needed to decide the correct amount of sludge to spread. This can lead to nitrogen and other pollutants seeping into groundwater or flowing into nearby bodies of water.

Environmental advocates have pointed out that excess nitrogen in drinking water can harm infants and livestock. In bodies of water, too much nitrogen can lead to overgrowth of aquatic plants, increased harmful algae blooms, decreased light, and reduced dissolved oxygen levels.

By mid-2024, the EPA said Denali had stopped spraying sewage in Arizona and California. However, the agreement also requires Denali to follow a specific protocol for soil sampling and agronomic rate calculation if spraying resumes in the area.

To ensure future compliance, agency officials said Denali will need to sample soils in fields where it plans to spray and perform site-specific calculations to decide how much to apply without risk of groundwater contamination.

The agency estimated that ceasing operations and complying with the terms of the settlement will result in the elimination of approximately 5.8 million pounds. sewage sludge.

For more information on the rules, click HERE.

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