ALCOVA, Wyo.—The Environmental Protection Agency is suing the owner of two Wyoming trailer parks over allegations that he’s not conducting the required tests on the properties’ drinking water.
The lawsuit against Colorado resident Roy Stricklin alleges that the EPA has been trying since 2005 to have him test and report on the drinking water from wells from his public water systems at the Alcova Dam Trailer Court and Eagle Creek RV & Trailer Court.
The federal agency cited 15 violations in its complaint against Stricklin, including six relating to bacterial coliform and a positive test for fecal coliform, according to a Sunday story in the Casper Star-Tribune. The lawsuit was filed last week in federal court.
Stricklin told the newspaper he would not comment on the lawsuit.
The agency said it was also seeking to fine Stricklin. Peggy Livingston, enforcement attorney for the Denver regional office of the EPA, said it has not calculated a total of maximum penalties against Stricklin and that the agency does not know of any cases where a trailer park resident became ill due to the water.
“An injunction would require him to comply with the drinking water regulations,” Livingston said.
The EPA alleged that it issued Stricklin two administrative orders demanding that he conduct tests for contaminants like fecal coliform, solvents and lead.
Frank Gruber, a resident at Alcova Dam Trailer Court, said Stricklin has been a good landlord who fixes any issues on the trailer and helped Gruber with the deposit when he moved in.
Gruber said his family drinks bottled water because they do not like the taste of the property’s water. Still, he said he hasn’t known of any health problems at the trailer park.
“We didn’t pass out and die,” he said.
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Information from: Casper Star-Tribune – Casper,
