L.A. Waterkeeper Clean Water Act Cases
California businesses pay millions in fines every year for alleged Clean Water Act (CWA) violations. Groups like L.A. Waterkeeper fuel this aggressive crackdown, filing lawsuits against companies they believe pollute local waterways.
If your business received a Notice of Intent to Sue from L.A. Waterkeeper, this isn’t just a regulatory slap on the wrist—it’s a legal fight that can drain your finances and threaten your operations.
These lawsuits target manufacturers, construction firms, waste management facilities, and even municipalities, claiming improper stormwater discharge or permit violations. Once they start, they don’t go away on their own.
That’s where Tropea McMillan LLP comes in. We don’t just defend businesses against Clean Water Act claims—we dismantle weak accusations, challenge flawed evidence, and fight to keep your company running.
Call us today at (866) 780-4903 before the case escalates.
Table Of Content
- The Clean Water Act and L.A. Waterkeeper’s Role in Lawsuits
- Why Tropea McMillan LLP?
- The High Cost of Clean Water Act Violations
- Los Angeles: A Hotbed for Clean Water Act Enforcement
- How We Fight Your Case
- What to Do If You’re Facing an L.A. Waterkeeper Lawsuit
- Shut Down the Lawsuit—Not Your Business
The Clean Water Act and L.A. Waterkeeper’s Role in Lawsuits
When Congress passed the Clean Water Act (CWA) in 1972, it wasn’t messing around. The law put strict federal controls on discharging pollutants into navigable waters and gave environmental groups like L.A. Waterkeeper the legal power to sue companies they believe violate it.
What Does L.A. Waterkeeper Do?
L.A. Waterkeeper isn’t a government agency—it’s a nonprofit environmental watchdog that uses the Clean Water Act’s citizen suit provision (Section 505) to take businesses to court.
They enforce strict water quality standards and hold companies accountable for pollution, even when no government agency has intervened.
These lawsuits frequently target:
- Industrial facilities with stormwater runoff issues
- Construction sites accused of failing to contain sediment and chemicals
- Manufacturers near rivers or streams
- Municipalities managing wastewater treatment and sewage systems
How Do They Prove a Violation?
To win a case, L.A. Waterkeeper must prove:
- Your business discharged a pollutant – This could include industrial waste and stormwater carrying contaminants.
- It entered a “water of the United States” – This includes lakes, rivers, and even some dry streambeds.
- You lacked a valid permit – Or, you exceeded your permit limits.
The National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit program governs these discharges. If a company operates without an NPDES permit—or violates its conditions—it’s open season for lawsuits.
Why Tropea McMillan LLP?
When a Clean Water Act lawsuit lands on your desk, you don’t need a generic defense lawyer—you need an environmental litigation team with a track record of winning.
That’s where Tropea McMillan LLP stands out.
- Proven Environmental Law Expertise – Recognized by Super Lawyers for Environmental Litigation.
- Successful Defense Strategies – We’ve helped companies beat Clean Water Act claims, reduce penalties, and avoid shutdowns.
- Business-First Approach – We fight for your bottom line, balancing legal compliance with practical solutions.
- Strategically Located Office – Meet us in Los Angeles (Wilshire Blvd., near Santa Monica).
Clean Water Act cases move fast, and missing legal deadlines can cost you six figures in penalties.
The High Cost of Clean Water Act Violations
Fines and Penalties
- Civil Penalties – Up to $64,618 per day, per violation under 33 U.S.C. § 1319(d).
- Criminal Charges – Knowingly violating the CWA? That’s up to 3 years in federal prison and a $250,000 fine under 33 U.S.C. § 1319(c).
- Attorney’s Fees – If L.A. Waterkeeper wins, you pay their legal costs under the Clean Water Act’s fee-shifting provisions.
Injunctive Relief and Operational Shutdowns
Even if fines don’t bankrupt you, a court order forcing immediate compliance might.
L.A. Waterkeeper lawsuits often seek:
- Mandatory installation of costly pollution controls
- Shut down of non-compliant operations
- Public disclosure of environmental violations
If your company’s stormwater runoff, wastewater treatment, or industrial discharge is in question, a lawsuit could force you to redesign your entire compliance strategy overnight.
Los Angeles: A Hotbed for Clean Water Act Enforcement
LA isn’t just known for its beaches—it’s ground zero for Clean Water Act lawsuits. Environmental groups aggressively monitor industrial facilities, storm drains, and coastal runoff, looking for violations.
What’s Happening in LA?
- California Water Boards took 260 enforcement actions in 2023.
- Industrial stormwater violations make up most L.A. Waterkeeper lawsuits.
- Sectors under fire: Construction, manufacturing, waste management.
Los Angeles is one of the most heavily regulated regions for water pollution control. If your company operates here, you’re already on someone’s radar.
How We Fight Your Case
If your company is in L.A. Waterkeeper’s crosshairs, doing nothing is not an option. A legal defense is the difference between a dismissed case and a six-figure penalty.
Our Defense Strategies
- Challenging “waters of the United States” claims – Not every waterway falls under the Clean Water Act. We argue jurisdiction.
- Disputing scientific evidence – Flawed sampling methods? Unreliable lab tests? We take them apart.
- Raising procedural defenses – L.A. Waterkeeper must provide proper notice under Section 505. If they slip up, we expose it.
- Proving compliance – Your permits, pollution controls, and discharge records matter. We show your business is playing by the rules.
Early Case Assessment
The first 60 days after receiving a Notice of Intent to Sue are critical. We assess:
- Permit history and compliance status
- Monitoring reports and discharge records
- Potential negotiation or settlement options
This early work sets the foundation for winning your case—or getting it dismissed before it ever reaches a courtroom.
What to Do If You’re Facing an L.A. Waterkeeper Lawsuit
Take action right away:
1. Read the Notice of Intent Carefully
Remember, under 33 U.S.C. § 1365(b)(1)(A), L.A. Waterkeeper must give you 60 days’ notice before suing. This is your chance to respond before litigation starts.
2. Gather Compliance Documents
You need:
- NPDES permit records
- Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPP)
- Discharge monitoring reports (DMR)
3. Stay Silent Online
No social media statements. No press releases. No emails discussing violations. Anything you say can and will be used against you.
4. Call Tropea McMillan LLP Immediately
Waiting makes things worse. Call us before the lawsuit escalates.
Shut Down the Lawsuit—Not Your Business
When L.A. Waterkeeper sues, the wrong legal strategy will cost you everything. The right one shuts down the case before it snowballs.
Environmental lawyers in San Diego at Tropea McMillan LLP knows how to win Clean Water Act defense cases. Let’s protect your business—call (866) 780-4903 today.
Tropea McMillan, LLP
Address: 4747 Morena Blvd Suite 250A San Diego, CA 92117
Phone: (866) 977-8921