Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen Announces Community Water Supply Operator to Pay Penalties

Marlin Shafer, owner of Shady Oaks Mobile Home Park in Menomonie, will pay $12,519.60 and will provide a certified operator for public water system

MADISON – On September 1, 2011, the Dunn County Circuit Court entered a judgment against Marlin Shafer who owns the Shady Oaks Mobile Home Park in Menomonie, Dunn County, in the amount of $12,519.60.

The civil complaint filed against the defendant on March 2, 2011, upon an investigation by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR), alleged that the defendant violated Wisconsin law by providing a public water supply to residents of the park without a certified operator, by repeatedly failing to sample and test the drinking water for contaminants, and by failing to notify residents of the test results ranging in dates from December 2008 to December 2010.

At a May 20, 2011, hearing, the court took notice of defendant's admission of guilt to the charges and scheduled a penalties hearing for July 19, 2011.

The defendant has been ordered to pay $12,519.60 in forfeitures, statutory surcharges and costs.

"The public is entitled to a safe drinking water supply, and the Wisconsin Department of Justice will continue to work with the DNR to ensure that," Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen said.

In addition, the defendant was ordered to provide for a certified operator to run the public water system and to comply with all required drinking water sampling, testing, and notification requirements.

Assistant Attorney General Thomas Dosch, Department of Justice Clinical Legal Extern Emily Slagle under the supervision of Assistant Attorney General Thomas Dawson, prosecuted the case.

Copies of the judgment and order of compliance are available at the following links: