All News Releases By Date

U.S. EPA orders two East Bay companies to comply with stormwater discharge requirements

Release Date: 12/05/2006
Contact Information: Lisa Fasano, 415-947-4307

SAN FRANCISCO -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency this week ordered Coulter Forge Technology, an iron and steel forging facility in Emeryville, and California Waste Solutions, Inc., a recycling facility in Oakland, to immediately comply with the federal Clean Water Act at their facilities.

Polluted stormwater runs off these two facilities and into the collection system where it eventually runs into the San Francisco Bay, a violation of the facility’s stormwater discharge permit.

“Companies need to do their part to protect our waterways from industrial runoff,” said Alexis Strauss, EPA’s water division director for the Pacific Southwest region. “To protect the San Francisco Bay, we trust that Coulter Forge Technology and California Waste Solutions will promptly comply with the Clean Water Act and take the steps needed to protect San Francisco Bay from pollution.”

The EPA is ordering California Wastes Solutions, Inc. and Coulter Forge Technology to:

– minimize and prevent the discharge of pollutants into the San Francisco Bay or any other body of water.
– Perform a daily inspection of the industrial activity areas; and
– Complete specific clean-up tasks.

On September 18, EPA investigators inspected both facilities and discovered inadequate stormwater pollution controls and pollution prevention plans, which are violations of the companies’ stormwater discharge permit and the Clean Water Act.

Polluted runoff is the leading cause of water pollution in the San Francisco Bay. Stormwater runoff can carry pollutants from industrial sources metals, oil and grease, acidic wastewater, bacteria, trash and other toxic pollutants into nearby water sources. The EPA requires industrial facilities to prevent water pollution by complying with federal and state water pollution requirements.

Failure to comply with the EPA order could bring penalties against the companies for as much as $32,500 per day per violation.