U.S. Water News Online
BOSTON -- A Fall River textile company has agreed to pay a $480,000 federal fine after the Environmental Protection Agency found three of the company's plants illegally dumped polluted wastewater into the city's sewer system.
Duro Textiles makes camouflage and high-performance sports fabrics in a process that produces large amounts of highly acidic and highly alkaline wastewater, according to the New England office of the EPA.
The EPA alleged that three of Duro's plants repeatedly violated legal limits on the acidic and alkaline wastewater discharged into the Fall River sewer system. Such wastewater is corrosive and can damage sewer piping and water treatment plant equipment.
The agency also accused Duro of failing to routinely inspect potential sources of stormwater contamination, such as outdoor fuel tanks, and failed to keep an incinerator temperature high enough to sufficiently destroy certain emissions that cause ground level ozone, a serious air problem in New England.
The EPA said the company agreed to the $480,000 fine, has made changes to comply with federal pollution laws, and also agreed to further penalties if it commits future violations.
In a statement, the company said, "Duro Textiles has always taken its responsibility to the environment seriously, and this agreement underscores this commitment. Duro has already completed the action required by EPA, and Duro will continue to meet state and federal environmental requirements."
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