The West Virginia Department of Environmental Protection has proposed a nearly $25,000 fine for the state’s Division of Highways for contaminating a wastewater treatment plant. In a consent order issued by the DEP, the agency claimed the DOH’s Wayne County headquarters dumped about 60 gallons of hazardous waste in April 2023 that ended up in the town of Wayne’s treatment plant and ultimately discharged into Twelvepole Creek. The order said the material – drag slat wash – was dumped in a vehicle wash bay, eventually making its way to the treatment facility. The material is designated as an ignitable hazardous waste. The DEP said the DOH then failed to report the noncompliance immediately after it became aware of the incident. The fines totaling $24,840 will become final after a 30-day comment period.