Former OKC metro water plant workers charged in Bluff Creek contamination

Two former employees at an Oklahoma City metro water treatment plant have been charged after raw sewage was found being dumped into a nearby creek.

Oklahoma County District Attorney Vicki Behenna filed criminal charges against Glenn Brentnell and Anthony Menzie on March 25, 2025. The pair are accused of spilling raw sewage into Bluff Creek.

The Bluff Creek Wastewater Treatment Plant handles sewage from Bethany and Warr Acres, but the facility is located near Northwest 192nd and Portland in northwestern Oklahoma County.

The plant reportedly treats around three million gallons of raw sewage a day.

In November of 2022, the Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) launched an investigation after it received reports of sewage pooling near the plant and flowing into the creek.

According to the DEQ, witnesses told investigators that Brentnell, the plant manager, and Menzie were responsible for the spill.

The DEQ says Brentnell ignored plant failures, causing the contamination, while Menzie admitted to falsifying lab reports to downplay fecal contamination levels. The falsified reports were sent to the DEQ and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

In response to the DEQ's findings, the wastewater from the plant was redirected to a nearby treatment facility run by Oklahoma City.

Shellie Chard, DEQ Water Quality Division Director, acknowledged Oklahoma City's initial response.

“They were willing to make that emergency connection so that we could get that raw sewage out of the bar ditch, off the road, and out of Bluff Creek," Chard said.

The situation at the wastewater treatment plant has improved, and the facility is now working to get the plant in compliance with state and federal environmental standards.

According to DEQ, Brentnell and Menzie are no longer with the Bethany-Warr Acres Public Works Authority.

Menzie was arrested and booked into the Oklahoma County Detention Center on March 25. His bond is set at $3,000.

A warrant was also issued for Brentnell, but according to the latest information available, he had not been arrested. Attorneys are not currently listed in the case file.

Criminal charges include:

Obtaining Property by Trick/Deception or False Representation

1. Glen Brentnell
2. Anthony Menzie

Violating the Oklahoma Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Act (2 counts)

1. Glen Brentnell
2. Anthony Menzie

Conspiracy to Commit a Felony

1. Anthony Menzie

Offering a False or Forged Instrument for Recordation

1. Anthony Menzie

News 9 has not been able to reach Brentnell or Menzie for comment.