EPA v. MOHAWK ASSOCIATES

Case summary

MOHAWK ASSOCIATES, INC. OPERATES A LEATHER TANNING FACIL- ITY IN NASHUA, NH. ITS PROCESS WASTEWATERS ARE DISCHARGED INTO THE NASHUA RIVER AND ARE SUBJECT TO TERMS OF AN NPDES PERMIT ISSUED BY EPA IN 1974. DISCHARGES ARE TREATED BUT FREQUENTLY VIOLATE THE EFFLUENT LIMITS CONTAINED IN THE PER- MIT; IN ADDITION, COMPANY HAS VIOLATED THE PERMIT'S GENERAL REQUIREMENT OF PROPER OPERATION AND MAINTENANCE ON SEVERAL OCCASIONS AND HAS BYPASSED ITS TREATMENT SYSTEM ON 2 OCCA- SIONS. EPA HAS ISSUED 4 ADMINISTRATIVE ORDERS TO COMPANY SINCE 1976, BUT MOHAWK'S DISCHARGE CONTINUES TO EXCEED EFFLUENT LIMITS. EPA INTENDS TO REISSUE THE NPDES PERMIT IN 4/84 WITH LIMITS BASED ON THE LEATHER TANNING GUIDELINES AND STATE WATER QUALITY REQUIREMENTS. WHILE THESE LIMITS ARE LESS STRINGENT THAN THOSE SET OUT IN THE 1974 PERMIT, THE COMPANY IS NOT EXPECTED TO MEET THEM CONSISTENTLY UNTIL IT INSTALLS ADDITIONAL TREATMENT.

Defendants (1)

• MOHAWK ASSOCIATES, INC.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• MOHAWK ASSOCIATES INC

  FAIRMOUNT ST, NASHUA, NH, 03060

  Registry ID: 110007683006

Statutes cited

• CWA 308 — Information Request, Records, Entry
• CWA 301 — NPDES Discharge without a Permit

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• MOHAWK ASSOCIATESentered 1986-12-04

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $110,000

Timeline (8 milestones)

• 1984-03-26Referred To Headquarters
• 1984-04-18Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 1984-04-27Referred TO U.S. Attorney
• 1984-05-01Complaint Filed With Court
• 1986-12-04Final Order Lodged
• 1986-12-04Final Order Entered
• 1986-12-04Concluded
• 1992-02-15Enforcement Action Closed