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SHOPPING CENTER FACES $25,000 EPA FINE

April 10, 2004 — Although the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently cited the Ville La Reine Shopping Center for "failing to monitor its water supply for total coliform bacteria," the center's management is wondering what all the ruckus is about.
On Thursday, the EPA filed a complaint against the center under the Total Coliform Rule of the Safe Drinking Water Act (SDWA) because the system failed at times to monitor for total coliform bacteria on a monthly basis and failed to notify the public of violations found when it did monitor, despite being previously ordered by EPA to do so.
EPA is seeking $25,000 for the violation.
"The water is not for human consumption; this is not drinking water," said Ville La Reine Shopping Center manager Frankie Mustafa. "The cistern water is mainly used to discharge into bathroom pipes," Mustafa stated.
He explained that several businesses in the center have their own cisterns or are connected to the Water and Power Authority.
According to the EPA's Web site, fecal coliform and E. Coli are bacteria whose presence indicates that the water may be contaminated with human or animal waste. Microbes in such waste can cause short-term effects, such as diarrhea, cramps, nausea, headaches, or other symptoms. They may pose a special health risk for infants, young children and people with severely compromised immune systems.
Precautions taken at La Reine Shopping Center
Mustafa explained that the shopping center collects rainwater in a system of cisterns beneath the main buildings. The cisterns can hold one million gallons of water. There is also a 140-foot well, which can generate up to 200 gallons of water a day, as a back up.
According to Mustafa, "Rainwater is the best water you can get, but when it settles, the minerals settle. When the water settles, some kind of bacteria builds up, and you treat that with chlorine."
Mustafa said the center, which was built in 1971, has always independently provided its own water to tenants.
"WAPA water has been available here for only the last two years. When the system shuts down, we provide back-up water. The water is tested by EPA and DPNR every month, so how can we be in violation?" said Mustafa.
In 2003, the center installed a $2,500 ultraviolet water purification system at DPNR's request.
"There must be mistrust somewhere. The lab is in direct contact with DPNR, and they usually tell us if something is wrong. This time they did not tell us anything, and they jumped to the fine. The lab did not send the test results for October and November," alleged Mustafa.
"I am getting bad publicity without any solution," he lamented.
Mustafa said the system of cisterns was cleaned two years ago and that the water is collected on the 15,000-square-foot roof, which according to Mustafa, is regularly cleaned and maintained.
"I don't know how fecal coliform bacteria could have gotten into the water. All that could be up on the roof is birds," Mustafa said.
Later, Mustafa implied that the heavy rains in November might have contributed to the problem. "It could be that the [bacterial] level was higher that month or the UV system failed at some time."
According to an April 8 release from EPA, the shopping center failed to monitor its water supply for total coliform for the months of October 2002 and November 2002, violated the Maximum Contaminate Level (MCL) for the months of February 2003 and March 2003, and failed to disclose this information to the public. Upon request from DPNR, EPA issued an order to the owners of Ville La Reine Shopping Center on October 20, 2003. The owners have failed to respond to EPA regarding the order, prompting EPA to issue this complaint to collect a penalty.
Fast-food restaurants not affected
There are three fast-food restaurants located in the shopping center, all of which are not connected to the La Reine water system. None have been cited for any water quality violations.
The McDonald's restaurant has its own separate cistern, while Pizza Hut uses WAPA water, and Asia Chinese Foods utilizes water supplied by Caledonia Springs. Also located in the shopping center is a police sub-station, which also has its own cistern.
"Nothing is perfect," reflected Mustafa, "we pray for water from heaven, what am I supposed to do with the water now? I can't afford a $25,000 fine."

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