The EPA just Released: Homebuilder to Pay $741,000 Clean Water Act Penalty and Implement Company-Wide Stormwater Controls
This Settlement was enacted to prevent millions of pounds of sediment and polluted stormwater runoff from entering U.S. waterways each year.
Highlights from the above linked article: “[The affected company] will also invest in a company-wide stormwater compliance program to improve employee training and increase management oversight at all current and future residential construction sites across the nation. The company is required to inspect its current and future construction sites routinely to minimize stormwater runoff from sites. Polluted stormwater runoff and sediment from construction sites can flow directly into the nearest waterway, affecting drinking water quality and damaging valuable aquatic habitats.
Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance and Assurance stated, “Today’s settlement will improve oversight of stormwater runoff at construction sites across the country and protect America’s waters.”
Ignacia S. Moreno, assistant attorney general for the Environment and Natural Resources Division of the Department of Justice said, “The settlement requires [them] to implement system-wide management controls and training that will help prevent polluted stormwater runoff from contaminating rivers, lakes and sources of drinking water.”
EPA estimates the settlement will prevent millions of pounds of sediment from entering U.S. waterways every year, including sediment that would otherwise enter the Chesapeake Bay, North America’s largest and most biologically diverse estuary. The bay and its tidal tributaries are threatened by pollution from a variety of sources and are overburdened with nitrogen, phosphorus and sediment that can be carried by stormwater.
The Clean Water Act requires permits for the discharge of stormwater runoff.
This settlement is the latest in a series of enforcement actions to address stormwater violations from residential construction sites around the country. More information about EPA’s stormwater enforcement can be found here.”
How will this settlement affect the industry? How may it affect your company? Often, a large settlement like this paid by one company will cause a ripple affect among other companies. Other manufacturing plants or construction companies may now be reconsidering their stormwater compliance programs. Do you know what your company’s training and inspection plan is?
Tait has certified stormwater practitioners and we can assist you with your stormwater needs. Contact us today!