By Walter F. Roche Jr.
Austin Powder Co has reached a multimillion dollar settlement to vastly reduce pollution in Ohio rivers in and around its main explosives manufacturing facility.
In a settlement agreement announced today the company agreed to make a series of improvements in two wastewater treatment facilities that feed water into tributaries of the Ohio River.
In addition to the $3 million in improvements to its treatment facilities, the company agreed to pay a $2.3 million civil penalty, according to the U.S Justice Department.
The improvements will be made in and around Austin's so-called Red Diamond facilities in McArthur, Ohio.
Austin is the owner of US Nitrogen, a Tennessee manufacturer of chemicals used in the production of explosives.
The $2.3 million civil settlement was due to hundred of violations of the federal Clean Water Act dating back to 2013.
“Industrial dischargers must ensure their operations do not foul our nation’s waters,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.
“The improvements required by this settlement will greatly improve Austin Powder’s compliance with its permits and improve the health of the Ohio River and its tributaries,” he added.
his settlement will prevent tens of thousands of pounds of pollutants from entering Ohio streams and rivers each year,” said Acting Assistant Administrator Larry Starfield for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.
The proposed 277-page consent decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period and a judge's approval after it is published in the Federal Register.
Simultaneously with the announcement of the proposed consent agreement, it was filed in U.S. District Court in Cincinnati, Ohio.
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