EPA v. EL PASO PLATING WORKS, INC.

Case summary

06/27/90: SYNOPSIS OF CASE: RESPONDENT EL PASO PLATING WORKS, INC. ( EP EPLATING ) OWNS AND OPERATES AN ELECTRO- PLATING DISCHARGES PROCESS WASTEWATER TO THE HASKELL STREET PLANT, A SEWAGE TREATMENT FACILITY OWNED & OPERATED BY THE CITY OF EL PASO, TX. THE HASKELL STREET PLANT DISCHARGESS TREATED WASTEWATER TO RIO GRANDE. EP PLATING'S DISCHARGES ARE GOVERNED THE U.S. ENVIORNMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY( EPA) PRETREATMENT STANDARDS APPLICABLE TO FACILITIES WITHIN THE ELECTROPLATING POINT SOURCE CATEGORY, COMMON METALS SUBCATEG -ORY, 40 CFR PART 413, SUBPART A. EPA ALLEGES THAT EP PLAT- ING HAS VIOL SECT. 301(A) & 307(D) OF TH CWA BY DISCHARGING PROCESS WASTEWATER CONTAINING CYANIDE, COPPER, NICKEL, CHROM -IUM, ZINC & LEAD IN QUANTIES IN EXCESS F THE PRETREATMENT STANDARDS FOR SUCH POLLUTANTS. THE REG. SUGGETS THAT EP PLATING'S PRETREATMENT STANDARD VIOLATIONS MERIT THE ASSESSMENT OF A CIVIL PENALTY OF AT LEAST $218,000. AS SETTLEMENT IS LIKELY, THE REGION REQUESTS AUTHORIZATION TO COMMENCE PRE-FILING NEGOTIATIONS. ANY CONSENT DECREE SHOULD REQUIRE THE PAYMENT BY EP PLATING OF A CIVIL PENALTY, ESTABLISH A SCHEDULE FOR ATTAINING COMPLIANCE WITH THE ACT & ITS IMPLEMENTING REGULATIONS & INCLUDE STIPULATED PENALTIES TO ADDRESS ANY NONCOMPLIANCE WITH THE TERMS OF THE CONSENT DECREE.

Defendants (1)

• EL PASO PLATING WORKS, INC.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• EL PASO PLATING WORKS

  600 N COTTON ST, EL PASO, TX, 79923

  Registry ID: 110010760596

Statutes cited

• CWA 301/307 — Effluent Limitations - NPDES Toxic & Pretreatment Effluent Standards
• CWA 301 — NPDES Discharge without a Permit

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• EL PASO PLATING WORKS, INC.entered 1992-04-15

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $25,000

Timeline (7 milestones)

• 1990-05-27Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 1990-06-27Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 1991-05-01Complaint Filed With Court
• 1992-04-15Final Order Lodged
• 1992-04-15Final Order Entered
• 1992-04-15Concluded
• 1997-08-26Enforcement Action Closed