Water Plant Worker Arrested ForUrinating in Water Supply

A water plant worker has been arrested and fired from his job after video showed him urinating in the water supply at the Ascension, Louisiana plant earlier this month, WRBZ reports.

As the Ascension Parish Sheriff’s Office confirmed, the worker seen in the disturbing footage has been identified as 57-year-old Michael Mastion. After the video of the March 19 incident surfaced, he was arrested on two counts of contaminating water supplies and two counts criminal damage to a critical infrastructure.

In the clip, he could be seen walking up to a surveillance camera in an attempt to not show his lower body and water in the frame. He then stands over the water for just over a minute, and then walks back to the camera to move it back to the position it was originally in. Officials were only notified of the incident a few days after it happened, although Ascension President Clint Cointment said the urine did not pose a health issue to the local community.

“At no time was the public in danger,” said Cointment, who confirmed that Mastin had been fired. “All water samples taken to date are in good standing and meet all safe water drinking requirements. As Parish President, I am extremely disappointed, and I find this conduct disgusting and unacceptable. This type of behavior will never be tolerated in parish government. Since the beginning of this administration we have held our parish employees accountable and this is no exception. I demand accountability on behalf of the public.”