NORTH SHORE EAST WATER TRUST AGREES TO PAY $30,000 FOR VIOLATIONS OF SAFE DRINKING WATER LAWS

MADISON - North Shore East Water Trust has agreed to pay penalties and costs totaling $30,000 for failing to submit pumping and water treatment reports in a timely fashion to the Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The agreement settles an environmental lawsuit filed by the Wisconsin Department of Justice in Milwaukee County Circuit Court.

Among the state's allegations in the civil complaint, North Shore failed to submit any pumping and treatment reports to DNR for a three year period commencing in November 2000, as required by state law. Wisconsin law requires public water system operators to submit such reports in a timely fashion. North Shore East Water Trust operated a public water supply system that served 189 households in Bayside, Wisconsin.

"Accurate record keeping and timely reporting are essential regulatory requirements to ensure safe public drinking water," said Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen, whose office filed the case. "DNR and DOJ take these violations seriously."

Wisconsin Assistant Attorney General Mary Batt represented the state. Milwaukee County Circuit Court Judge Francis T. Wasielewski approved the settlement on May 16, 2007.