EPA v. SAINT-GOBAIN ABRASIVES INC and SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMICS & PLASTICS INC

Case summary

On September 26, 2016, Region 1 filed a consent agreement and final order resolving Clean Water Act violations against Saint-Gobain Abrasives, Inc. and Saint-Gobain Ceramics & Plastics, Inc. (Respondents) for failing to comply with the terms and conditions of the facility?s NPDES permit, discharging stormwater and groundwater without a permit, and failing to comply with SPCC regulations. Respondents own and operate an abrasives, ceramics, and refractories manufacturing facility in Worcester, Massachusetts. The CAFO requires Respondents to pay a civil penalty of $131,000 and to perform a Supplemental Environmental Project worth approximately $100,000 in total requiring the purchase and installation of water quality treatment devices. Region 1 also issued to Respondents an administrative compliance order on consent, which provides a schedule for returning to compliance with the CWA at Saint-Gobain?s Worcester facility.

Defendants (2)

• SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMICS & PLASTICS INCNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• SAINT-GOBAIN ABRASIVES INCNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• SAINT-GOBAIN ABRASIVES INC

  1 NEW BOND STREET, WORCESTER, MA, 01615

  Registry ID: 110000309354

Statutes cited

• CWA 301/402 — NPDES Permit Violations
• CWA 311J — SPCC and/or Federal Response Plan Violations
• CWA 301 — NPDES Discharge without a Permit

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• SAINT-GOBAIN ABRASIVES INC and SAINT-GOBAIN CERAMICS & PLASTICS INCentered 2016-09-26

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $131,000 · SEP: $100,000

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2016-09-26Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2016-09-26Final Order Issued
• 2016-09-28Enforcement Action Data Entered