For government officials across the great state of Louisiana, a notification from the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) citing an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Clean Water Act violation can set off an understandable panic. If you’ve recently received a Clean Water Act violation from the DEQ, you are probably wondering how serious are the consequences for your community? Will it mean fines? Are there mandated specific actions? What are the risks to your residents? Understanding the options available to your local government and the steps to take after a violation will help you navigate this situation successfully and ensure the health and safety of your residents. Let's explore the seven step process to manage a Clean Water Act violation.