WILLIAMSPORT – The Department of Environmental Protection has fined Raymond Shimmel $6,792 for the illegal application of residential septage on his property in Boggs Township, Clearfield County.
Septage is partially treated waste stored in a septic tank, which includes scum, effluent and sludge. Septage cannot be applied to the land in Pennsylvania without a DEP biosolids land application permit.
“DEP’s investigation revealed that Mr. Shimmel applied about 114,000 gallons of residential septage over a three-year period without the required DEP permit,” said DEP North-central Regional Director Robert Yowell. “These permits provide regulations, guidance and detailed procedures about how to apply septage properly.”
Responding to a complaint, DEP’s investigation in December 2009 found that Shimmel had applied residential septage to land within 18 feet of an intermittent stream and within 30 feet of a pond. He also had not stabilized the septage with lime for vector and pathogen reduction as required by the regulations.
These actions violated Pennsylvania’s Clean Streams Law, Solid Waste Management Act, and DEP’s municipal waste regulations.
Shimmel provided written notification to DEP on Dec. 6, 2009, that he had closed his septage pumping business.
The fine was paid to the Clean Water Fund, which supports cleanups across the state.
