County revokes All-Out Sewer owner Ray Caldwell’s septic license

The Cowlitz County Health Department is revoking the septic pumping license of All-Out Sewer & Drain owner Ray Caldwell, who was convicted last month of 33 federal felonies.

According to a Jan. 16 letter the health department sent Caldwell, the Longview businessman no longer will be allowed to operate or participate in any business involved with pumping sewage or performing inspections or maintenance of septic systems within Cowlitz County.

The Health Department considers this to be a permanent revocation, states the letter, signed by County Health Officer Jennifer Vines and County Health Administrator Carlos Carreon. This determination has been made subsequent to the finding of guilty in United States District Court.

The evidence presented in the federal case demonstrate intentional and/or willful malfeasance of, and serious repeated violations of county OSS (on-site sewage) pumper regulations, the letter states.

If Caldwell doesnt file an appeal within 30 days, his license will be revoked Feb. 15. Caldwell, reached at his business Tuesday, declined to comment.

Although he may lose his ability to pump septage in Cowlitz County, Caldwell does have customers in other counties, according to his courtroom testimony.

Last month, Longview Public Works Director Jeff Cameron declined to comment regarding All-Outs city general business license, which expires in May.

In mid-November, the county revoked the license of Caldwells business partner, Randy Dingus, who pleaded guilty to one felony count of violating the federal Clean Water Act. Dingus held a license as an operations and maintenance provider of septic systems, Bischoff said. He will be sentenced Jan. 27 for participating in the illegal dumping scheme.

On Dec. 16, U.S. District Court Judge Benjamin Settle found Caldwell guilty of all 33 counts he faced: 25 felony counts of violating the federal Clean Water Act, six counts of mail fraud and two counts of making false statements. He will be sentenced March 10.

Caldwell was accused of pumping septic waste from his collection trucks into the city sewer system on 25 different dates last year to avoid disposal fees of 10 to 25 cents per gallon. He also is accused of underreporting by hundreds of thousands of gallons the amount of septage he collected from customers.

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County revokes All-Out Sewer owner Ray Caldwell's septic license