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N.D. (AP) – North Dakota regulators have fined a drilling company $1.5 million for what they say are deliberate violations of the state’s rules for disposing of salt water.

The violation could threaten drinking water near the Stark County disposal well. There’s no evidence yet there was any drinking water pollution.

The man who ordered the work faces a felony charge that carries a five-year prison term.

North Dakota’s Industrial Commission approved the fine Wednesday against Halek Operating. The company may contest the fine.

State Department of Mineral Resources director Lynn Helms says the company deliberately dumped salt water into a disposal well that wasn’t properly sealed.

Helms says the company tampered with the well to make sure it would pass an inspection, but a state inspector discovered the deception shortly after.