The former operator of the Wamego Wastewater Treatment Facility was indicted Wednesday on federal charges of violating the Clean Water Act.
According to a release from US Attorney Stephen McAllister’s office, 47-year-old David Schleif of Belvue was charged with discharging untreated or inadequately treated sewage from the Wamego facility into the Kansas River. The crime is alleged to have taken place between May 2017 and August 2019.
Schleif also faces 19 counts including falsified data in discharge monitoring reports. The falsified reports showed lower levels of biochemical oxygen demand, total suspended solids and E. coli than indicated by actual test results.
If convicted, Schleif could spend up to three years in federal prison on the discharge count and up to two years and a fine of up to $10,000 on each of the other counts. The lead prosecutor is U.S. Attorney Christine Kenney.
