Massachusetts metal finisher fined for storm water violations
Bay State Galvanizing, Inc., of Everett, Massachusetts will pay a cash penalty of $40,000 to settle EPA claims that the metal finisher violated the terms of its permit to discharge storm water under the Clean Water Act.
An EPA investigation concluded that Bay State violated the federal Clean Water Act by failing to update and implement a storm water pollution prevention plan at the facility. It was concluded that the company violated the federal Resources Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and related Massachusetts laws, due to the company’s failure to comply with training requirements to reduce risks of employee exposure to hazardous wastes.
Bay State conducts metal finishing operations in an industrial section of Everett. Storm water from Bay State’s operations discharges through two storm drains to the City of Everett’s location on Spring Street which then discharges to the Island End River, and then ultimately into the Mystic River. EPA inspectors discovered that Bay State has failed to implement its “Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan,” which is required under the Storm Water Multi-Sector General Permit for Industrial Activities, which outlines the facility’s responsibilities for storm water management.
Last August, EPA issued an Administrative Order requiring Bay State to update and implement its Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan. That order also directed Bay State to comply with RCRA training requirements, thus helping ensure that Bay State will manage its waste in an environmentally protective manner.
Under terms of the settlement, Bay State will pay a combined fine for both violations of $40,000.