The federal government has filed a lawsuit against the operators of Oasis Mobile Home Park in eastern Riverside County for allegedly neglecting the maintenance and operation of the park’s water systems. The complaint was submitted by the Department of Justice on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.
EPA Pacific Southwest Regional Administrator, Martha Guzman, stated, “This lawsuit is the result of many years of non-compliance by the operators of Oasis Mobile Home Park, who have failed to follow EPA’s directives and provide safe drinking water and sanitation to the residents of their park. We are now seeking action from a federal court to enforce our orders and bring justice to the residents who have been deprived of safe drinking water for so long.”
Representatives for the operators, identified as the estate of Scott Lawson and Lopez to Lawson Inc., have not responded to requests for comment. According to EPA officials, the operators have been accused of neglecting the maintenance and operation of the park’s primary drinking water well, as well as its treatment, distribution, and wastewater systems. They have also allegedly failed to take necessary measures to protect the health of individuals consuming the water.
The lawsuit aims to obtain a judicial order that requires the park to pay a civil penalty, comply with the Safe Water Drinking Act, and address the hazardous conditions associated with the allegations. In August 2019 and September 2020, emergency orders were issued to Scott Lawson for providing drinking water with high levels of arsenic, a known carcinogen that can lead to various health issues. The second order was issued after the park switched to a backup well that also contained water with high levels of arsenic.
Furthermore, following the death of Lawson in May 2021, another emergency order was issued against the defendants, with similar requirements to the 2020 order. It was discovered that the arsenic problems persisted despite previous actions taken. The EPA conducted inspections in February 2021 and May 2020, revealing that the park lacked a dedicated wastewater operator, septic maintenance, and a pumping program for approximately 90 septic tanks.
Representative Raul Ruiz from Indio expressed support for the lawsuit, stating, “This is great news for our local collaborative efforts to ensure the safety of residents, provide access to clean drinking water, and relocate individuals to affordable and preferable housing options. Enough is enough.”
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