EPA v. ADVANCE COATINGS COMPANY

Case summary

On March 2, 2016, EPA filed a consent agreement and final order (CAFO) resolving violations of the Clean Water Act by Advance Coatings Company. Advance Coatings operates a plastics material and resin manufacturing facility located in Westminster, Massachusetts. Due to human error, Advance Coatings staff over-filled a container with styrene monomer. The resulting spill entered the Fitchburg, Massachusetts sewage collection system through a failed berm around a floor drain and caused two days of pass-through and one day of interference at the city?s wastewater treatment plant. In addition, the company has discharged stormwater associated with industrial activity without a permit and has failed to apply for permit coverage. Finally, Advance Coatings had not developed and implemented a spill prevention, control, and countermeasure plan. Advance Coatings will come into compliance with the CWA by June 30, 2016, including by modifying its operations somewhat so that it qualifies for Certification of No Exposure to Storm Water. Advance Coatings has agreed to pay a penalty of $38,860 to resolve the violations.

Defendants (1)

• Advance Coating Company (SB)Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• ADVANCE COATINGS CO

  42 DEPOT STREET, WESTMINSTER, MA, 01473

  Registry ID: 110064417858

Statutes cited

• CWA 301/402 — NPDES Permit Violations
• CWA 311J — SPCC and/or Federal Response Plan Violations
• CWA 301/307 — Effluent Limitations - NPDES Toxic & Pretreatment Effluent Standards

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• ADVANCE COATINGS COMPANYentered 2016-03-02

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $38,860

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2015-09-29Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2015-10-01Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2016-03-02Final Order Issued