Attorney General Charges Sewage Plant Operator With Environmental Crimes

A Chester County man was charged Monday by the Office of Attorney General with violating Pennsylvania’s Clean Streams Law after he allegedly failed to complete required daily sampling and recording for the sewage treatment plant under his operation. 
            Kelly identified the defendant as Thomas M. Horrex, 57, 122 Lehigh Drive, East Fallowfield, Chester County. Horrex is the owner of TMH Environmental and has operated the Fox Valley Community Services Sewage Treatment Plant located in Concord Township, Delaware County since 2010.
            Kelly said that daily sampling and recording of pH, oxygen and chlorine levels is required of all sewage treatment plants in Pennsylvania. According to the criminal complaint, Horrex allegedly failed to perform daily sampling and/or record sampling results on 17 separate occasions between September 2010 and June 2011.
            Horrex is charged with one count of unlawful conduct under Pennsylvania’s Clean Streams Law, a third degree felony punishable by up to seven years in prison and a $425,000 fine.
            Horrex was preliminarily arraigned before Glen Mills Magisterial District Judge Richard Cappelli and released on $10,000 unsecured bail. 
            The case will be prosecuted in Delaware County by Senior Deputy Attorney General Brian T. Coffey of the Attorney General’s Environmental Crimes Section. 
            Kelly thanked the Department of Environmental Protection for their assistance with the investigation.


11/7/2011

Go To Preceding Article     Go To Next Article

Return to This PA Environment Digest's Main Page