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Surgical Specialties Corp. Cited for Pollution Discharges to Water Treatment Plant

Release Date: 1/7/2000
Contact Information: Roy Seneca (215) 814-5567

Roy Seneca (215) 814-5567

SHILLINGTON, Pa. -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has cited Surgical Specialties Corp., a manufacturer of precision medical devices, for excessive discharges of lead from its plant in Shillington, Berks Co., Pa.

According to EPA’s administrative complaint, in five separate months between June 1996 and June 1999, the company violated Clean Water Act limits on the discharge of lead to a wastewater treatment facility operated by the Joint Municipal Authority of Wyomissing Valley. EPA proposes a $19,000 penalty for these alleged violations.

Under the Clean Water Act, certain industrial users of publicly owned water treatment facilities (such as metal finishing operations like the Surgical Specialties plant) must limit their discharge of certain pollutants, including lead. These "pretreatment" limits are designed to avoid overburdening the capacity of public treatment plants.

The company has the right to a hearing to contest the alleged violations and proposed penalty.