State Rep. Lundy Kiger (R-Poteau) commented on Veolia being charged again with falsifying water data.
“After several months of citizen complaints, investigations and inspections by the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality that resulted in a $3 million fine for Veolia in Heavener, Oklahoma. Veolia is once again charged with alleged falsification of water data,” Kiger said. “Waste water samples with E. coli was found to have bleach added to the samples in an effort to get rid of E. coli bacteria. The water with bleach was then released into the North Canadian River.”
Kiger said the Veolia employee who treated the water in El Reno stated she did so at the direction of a Veolia supervisor. She stated she complied with the supervisor because she was in fear of losing her job.
“This is the same type of situation we’ve seen with Veolia not just in Heavener, but in many other places around the United States and now in another Oklahoma town,” Kiger said
Kiger said he’s reporting this new action by Veolia to the people in District 3 in hopes of helping to spread the word of the continued misconduct of Veolia and how bad this company really is for Oklahoma.
Kiger said he wants to reiterate to the public and state officials that additional fines should be levied on Veolia, in addition to the $3 million already assessed for the company’s misconduct in Heavener related to falsification of data on reports for multiple years.
“I want everyone in the state involved to know that Veolia has already threatened the city of Heavener in a letter with taking legal actions against the city for full reimbursement of the fines that Veolia earned all on their own,” Kiger said. “Veolia has filed for a hearing with DEQ where the company will try to get their fine reduced.
“My position is and always will be that Veolia is a bully and does not deserve to have their fine for violations and findings of misconduct reduced. Veolia should actually receive additional fines by the state to include falsification of data.”
Kiger said the situation at El Reno once again shows how bad Veolia and many of their company leaders really are.
“This company’s actions are affecting so many in Oklahoma while they make a lot of money, Kiger said.
He went on to say that he has concerns related to water quality by Veolia for the city of Red Oak and one of the Latimer County Rural Water Districts.
A link to a video about the company’s latest actions in El Reno can be viewed here: https://www.koco.com/article/company-involved-in-water-quality-investigation-calls-former-employees-actions-abhorrent/31214826
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