Local Water District Sues NPS For Arsenic Contamination

A water district located just outside Yellowstone National Park recently filed a lawsuit against the National Park Service alleging that high levels of arsenic had gotten into its facilities from the Park.  In making preparations to remove the sludge in its facilities in the normal course of operations, the Gardiner-Park County Water and Sewer District discovered that arsenic was entering its facility from the Park itself.  The source was likely leaking pipes or manholes inside the Park.  The water district was advised to resolve the arsenic contamination prior to removing the sludge.  At that point, the water district advised NPS of the arsenic pollution coming from the Park and requested that NPS locate and repair the areas causing the problem.  NPS did not respond to the water district’s letter.

Nine months later, the water district sent a second letter advising NPS that the problem had gotten even worse.  Again, NPS did not respond to the district’s letter.  The water district then initiated discussions with NPS, which at that point acknowledged that high levels of arsenic were flowing from the Park.  NPS asserted that it was responsible for the damages caused by the arsenic.  NPS allegedly agreed that it would make a substantial financial contribution to the water district’s repair efforts, but did not commit to any specific amounts and stated that it would not have funding until 2020.  In addition, NPS did not identify how it would correct the ongoing problem.