The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency [EPA] announced on Wednesday, March 24, that it recently agreed with a national owner and operator of three Massachusetts salvage yards to settle Clean Water Act compliance orders issued by the agency.
LKQ Northeast agreed to pay $129,425 for its Webster facility, $83,000 for its Leominster facility, and $81,000 for its Southwick facility. The EPA alleged the company had either not identified or incorrectly identified storm water conveyance paths and/or discharge points [outfalls].
The EPA also alleged that the facilities conducted inadequate corrective actions to try to mitigate the monitored pollutants as required.
The Clean Water Act’s Multi-Sector General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Discharges [MSGP] and state water protection laws prohibit the discharge of storm water associated with industrial activities, including auto salvaging.
Discharge of industrial related storm water require permits and actions to minimize discharges of pollutants from these activities to surface waters.
The company has taken steps to prevent the discharge of pollutants from storm water runoff into Browns Brook (near the Webster facility), Fall and Wekepeke Brooks [near the Leominster facility], and Kellog Brook [near the Southwick facility], since the EPA issued its orders, according to the federal agency.
These steps include submission of updated storm water pollution prevention plans, implementation and compliance with best management practices to prevent discharges, and fulfillment of all maintenance, monitoring, sampling, inspections, training, and record-keeping requirements.
