SEATTLE – Today, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced an agreement with the Nooksack Tribe to bring their six water systems into compliance with the Safe Drinking Water Act.
The legal agreements – known as Administrative Orders on Consent – affect the following facilities, which serve approximately 1,300 people:
- 5 Cedars Community Water System
- Rutsatz Road Community Water System
- Sulwhanon Community Water System
- Whispering Cedars Community Water System
- Nooksack River Casino Water System
- Northwood Casino Water System
These systems are owned and operated by the Nooksack Tribe located in and around the Nooksack Reservation, in Deming, Washington. The Orders establish a detailed list of requirements, including a schedule to correct several long-standing violations; obligation to file an annual Consumer Confidence Report; and designation of a Project Coordinator to oversee implementation.
“With these orders, the Nooksack Tribe is making a significant commitment to improving multiple water systems that these communities depend on for daily use,” said EPA Region 10 Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Director Ed Kowalski. “Drinking water system owners and operators must monitor their systems, act when needed and keep the public informed.”
Additional details are available in the following documents:
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Administrative Order on Consent – 5 Cedars (SDWAl0-2024-0112) (pdf)(5.5 MB)
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Administrative Order on Consent – Nooksack River Casino (SDWA 10-2024-0113) (pdf)(4.3 MB)
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Administrative Order on Consent – Northwood Casino (SDWA-10-2024-0114) (pdf)(7.6 MB)
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Administrative Order on Consent – Rutsatz Road (SDWA-10-2024-0117) (pdf)(5.7 MB)
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Administrative Order on Consent – Sulwhanon (SDWA-10-2024-0116) (pdf)(5.6 MB)
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Administrative Order on Consent – Whispering Cedars (SDWA-10-2024-0115) (pdf)(4 MB)
Background
EPA works collaboratively with Tribal governments, Tribal utilities and Tribal members to implement the Safe Drinking Water Act.