DES MOINES – The Iowa Department of Natural Resources says many times, environmental improvement comes as a result of an enforcement action. That takes place when people choose to circumvent the law or do not understand the full impact of their actions on the environment. To that end, the DNR on Thursday (May 9th), said a consent order was issued against Waspy’s Truck Wash, LLC., in Audubon. A consent order is issued as an alternative to issuing an administrative order. A consent order indicates that the DNR has voluntarily entered into a legally enforceable agreement with the other party. The Order was issued to Waspy’s, to address discharges of wastewater to a publicly owned treatment works in volumes or quantities in excess of its treatment agreement. (View the Consent Order here: 6385075121705664052024WW03)

Officials say Waspy’s must “Comply with the treatment agreement effective April 7, 2016 or a new treatment agreement if one is accepted by the DNR; submit a plan of action to the DNR for approval that details a compliance plan to meet the treatment agreement’s limits; and pay a $8,000 administrative penalty.”

The DNR is charged with ensuring compliance with State of Iowa environmental laws and rules. Officials say the compliance portion of the DNR improves the environment through educating citizens and promoting awareness of the environmental impacts of our actions and awareness of applicable law. DNR staff work with individuals, businesses and communities to help them protect our natural resources by complying with state and federal laws.

In the few cases where compliance cannot be achieved, the DNR issues enforcement actions. You can find the entire, original orders on DNR’s website at www.iowadnr.gov/EnforcementActions