January 21, 2002—Heartland Grain Fuels of Aberdeen, S.D., has agreed to plead guilty to violating the Clean Water Act by illegally discharging ethanol into Moccasin Creek. The ethanol reached the Aberdeen wastewater treatment facility and killed bacteria needed to properly digest raw sewage. The ability of the plant to adequately treat sewage was impaired for approximately two weeks. If the U.S. District Court in Aberdeen approves the plea agreement, Heartland will pay up to $40,000 in fines and provide an additional $158,143 to the city of Aberdeen to upgrade the ability of its sewage treatment facility to control and monitor pollutant discharges. The case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division and is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Sioux Falls. For more information, contact the EPA.
