Lake Brownwood Sewage Update

County files against dumper
Man faces injunction after emptying sewage into lake

By Celinda Emison / Reporter-News Staff Writer
July 30, 2005
A request for a temporary injunction and a temporary restraining order was filed Friday against the owners of a Brown County lake resort for not having proper septic systems.
Thirty-fifth District Judge Stephen Ellis is expected to make a decision on the request Monday. He could decide to grant the request, or, call a hearing.
If the temporary or permanent injunction is imposed, Lakehaven Marina at Lake Brownwood would be prohibited from having a water supply to eight cabins or operate any unapproved sewage disposal system at the cabins or at the Lakehaven restaurant.
Lakehaven could continue selling gas and renting and storing boats.
Brown County Attorney Shane Britton filed the request against 3 J's Joint Venture DBA, owners of Lakehaven Marina at Lake Brownwood, and owners Eddie Surrett, Vicki Surett, Travis Grimes, Justin Jones and Josh Helbart. The request was filed on behalf of the county and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality.
''It is obvious they have continued to rent cabins without any septic system,'' Britton said. ''We filed this to prevent this from turning into a public health issue.''
Attempts to reach Lakehaven Marina were unsuccessful Friday.
Britton said the marina could comply with county septic regulations by getting a permit and installing an approved septic system.
On July 19, inspectors from the TCEQ and Brown County officials inspected the property. According to the court records, Grimes told inspectors that between July 15 and 18, 125 people stayed at Lakehaven and that he did not have a proper sewage system.
If the injunction is enforced, civil penalties could reach up to $200 each day the marina is not in compliance, according to court documents.
Grimes was arrested July 4 for violating the health and safety codes of the lake. He was arrested again July 9 for permitting the discharge of sewage into the watershed, Lake Patrol officer Bob Pacatte said.
Grimes reportedly tried to fix the problem after July 4 by placing a large plastic holding tank at the site to pump the sewage into, Pacatte said.
''He then had a pumper come to pump out the plastic tank and a significant amount of sewage leaked onto the ground,'' he said.
On July 25, Justice of the Peace Bob Wall found Grimes guilty of six violations. Three allege Grimes knowingly violated regulations regarding storage of raw sewage and three allege he violated regulations on disposing of raw sewage. Grimes was fined $252 for each of the charges.
He faces eight more health and safety violations Aug. 4 in JP court regarding the storage and disposal of raw sewage filed July 8, 9, 10.
Contact Brownwood staff writer Celinda Emison at (325) 641-8804 or emisonc@reporternews.com.
source: http://www.reporter-news.com/abil/nw_local/article/0,1874,ABIL_7959_3965512,00.html