Saluda Water Plant Operator Pleads Guilty to Violating the Clean Water Act

COLUMBIA, S.C. - John Lorick, 45, of Ninety-Six, has pleaded guilty to violating a permit issued under the Clean Water Act.

Evidence obtained in the investigation revealed that Lorick was the senior manager for the Saluda Commission of Public Works, which was the entity responsible for operating the Town of Saluda Wastewater Treatment Plant, a publicly owned water treatment plant.

The treatment plant treated municipal wastewater and discharged treated waste to the Little Saluda River, as authorized by a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit issued to the Town of Saluda by the State of South Carolina.

NPDES permits are issued by the EPA and by states with delegated authority under the Clean Water Act (CWA) to eliminate pollution in the waters of the United States. Under the CWA, the discharge of any pollutant into these waters is prohibited, except as allowed by the NPDES permits. Permittees must comply with the conditions and limitations established in an NPDES permit. Failure to do so is a violation of the Clean Water Act.

Lorick failed to operate the plant properly because he knowingly allowed the plant to discharge wastewater without a functioning chlorination system. Lorick took no steps to repair the system or notify any regulators of the issue. Without a functioning chlorine treatment system to kill E. coli bacteria, for instance, the plant would discharge E. coli above its permit limitations.

To conceal the plant's elevated E. coli levels, Lorick diluted compliance samples with tap water and falsified sampling results. He knew that the samples would otherwise show elevated E. coli levels due to the inoperative chlorination system.

From approximately 2022 to March 2025, the plant disposed of sludge primarily by allowing it to discharge raw, untreated sewage directly into the Little Saluda River. Beginning in or before 2023, the Saluda plant used a bypass 10 to 12 times a year due to operational failure, malfunctions, or inflow and infiltration. Lorick was aware the bypasses were occurring and took no steps to report the bypasses to the State of South Carolina. A bypass that occurred from July 27 to 28, 2025, killed approximately 1,529 fish, which were observed about a mile downstream from the plant.

"South Carolina's natural resources are one of the many gems of our state. Lorick's actions were harmful to the environment, the wildlife that rely on the Little Saluda River and potentially anyone who recreated in the water," said U.S. Attorney Bryan Stirling for the District of South Carolina. "The U.S. Attorney's Office is committed to protecting our waterways."

"Like all Americans, South Carolina residents expect their local waterways to be clean and free of untreated sewage, which contains bacteria, parasites, and viruses that can cause severe illnesses," said Charles Carfagno, Special Agent in Charge of EPA's criminal enforcement program in South Carolina. "The defendant not only completely failed to treat sewage many times but also falsified records and reports to hide these failures. EPA will ensure that those who endanger public health and lie to the government to evade detection of their wrongdoing are found out and held accountable."

"SCDES supports our federal partners in the investigation and prosecution of these serious acts," said Myra Reece, Director of the S.C. Department of Environmental Services. "The intentional pollution of our state's natural resources, especially our essential water resources, can never be tolerated."

Lorick faces a maximum penalty of three years in federal prison. He also faces a fine between $5,000 and $50,000 for every day the permit was violated, and one year of supervision to follow any term of imprisonment.

United States District Court Chief Judge Sherri A. Lydon accepted the guilty plea and will sentence Lorick after receiving and reviewing a sentencing report prepared by the U.S. Probation Office.

This case was investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency and the South Carolina Department of Environmental Services. Assistant U.S. Attorney Winston Holliday is prosecuting the case.

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