US Nitrogen Fined for Permit Violations

By Walter F. Roche Jr.

Citing multiple violations of its wastewater pre-treatment requirements, the town of Mosheim has imposed fines of more than $20,000 on US Nitrogen, based in Midway, Tenn.
The violations, which dated back to 2016, include discharging effluent to the town's wastewater treatment plant with excessive levels of nitrogen and phosphorous.
The largest single fine was for $14,700, according to Mosheim Mayor Thomas L. Gregg Jr.. He said that at this point US Nitrogen has not appealed the fines and violation notices.
In addition to violating the discharge limitations, US Nitrogen was cited for failing to promptly report some of those violations.
In addition to US Nitrogen Mosheim also cited DTR Tennessee for discharging water to the treatment facility with excess levels of nickel. DTR, which produces auto parts, was also cited for failing to report the excess discharge, a requirement of its permit.
According to a legal notice disclosing the town's action, the violations which occurred in 2016, were classified as "significant."
Nonetheless, the notice states that the excessive discharges did not result in significant damage to the Lick Creek Valley Wastewater Treatment Facility.
The discharges, according to the notice, violated the requirements of Mosheim's Industrial Pre-treatment program and state and federal environmental laws and regulations.
According to the notice, the two companies already have implemented corrective actions to ensure against any future violations.

LEGAL NOTICE The Town of Mosheim has established and is currently implementing an Industrial Pretreatment Program regulating industries served by the local wastewater treatment facility. In accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency under 40 CFR 403.8 and the State of Tennessee, Department of Environment and Conservation the following industry was considered to be in significant violation of applicable pretreatment requirements during the year 2016; US Nitrogen LLC, DTR Tennessee, Inc. Incidents of non-compliance were recorded in the period starting in January 2016 and ending in December 2016. None of the above violations created significant damage to the Lick Creek Valley Wastewater Treatment Facility or threat to the environment. The industries listed are making or have made changes in effort to comply with the pretreatment regulations. Mayor Thomas L. Gregg, Jr. 4.27.17