Oklahoma agency reaches $955K settlement over water problems

HUGO, Okla. (AP) – The Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality has reached an agreement with the operator of Hugo’s water treatment plant over drinking water violations that left thousands of residents with unsafe drinking water for months.

DEQ announced Wednesday it reached a $955,000 financial settlement with London-based Severn Trent Environmental Services, Inc., the largest water-quality related settlement in the agency’s 25-year history.

As part of the settlement, $930,000 will be made available to help small Oklahoma communities upgrade water and wastewater treatment facilities.

A DEQ investigation into the Hugo Municipal Authority Water Supply treatment facility found numerous violations, including improper monitoring and low chlorination.