EPA v. COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT COMPANY

Case summary

THE VIOLATIONS INVOLVE A SEPTIC SYSTEM AT A PLANT OWNED BY COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT IN CARROLL, IA, WHICH REFURBISHES COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATION UNITS WITH CHEMICALS WHICH ARE CLASSIFIED AS HAZARDOUS WASTES. THE COMPANY HAS REPEATEDLY VIOLATED UNDERGROUND INJECTION CONTROL REQUIREMENTS BY DISPOSING OF HAZARDOUS WASTES THROUGH THE SEPTIC SYSTEM. EPA IS REQUESTING COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT TO PROPERLY CLOSE THE SEPTIC SYSTEM IN ACCORDANCE TO REGULATIONS AND TO UNDERTAKE ANY REMEDIATION ACTION NECESSARY TO CLEAN UP THE CONTAMINATION OF THE GROUNDWATER. THE PROPOSED PENALTY HAS BEEN CALCULATED BASED ON THE UIC SETTLEMENT POLICY. WHERE IS THE DESCRIPTION OF DISCRETE ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS THAT WOULD MAKE THIS A MULTI MEDIA CASE???

Defendants (2)

• COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT COMPANYNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• CURTIS HOUGHNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT CO

  HWY 30 W, CARROLL, IA, 51401

  Registry ID: 110010663709

Statutes cited

• RCRA 6001 — Res Conserv & Rec Act
• CWA 301 — NPDES Discharge without a Permit
• SDWA 1423 — Safe Drinking Water Act

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• COMMERCIAL EQUIPMENT CO., INC.entered 1995-12-05

  Primary law: SDWA

  Federal penalty: $150,000

Timeline (7 milestones)

• 1990-01-01Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 1992-11-01Referred To Dept Of Justice
• 1993-05-17Complaint Filed With Court
• 1995-12-05Final Order Lodged
• 1995-12-05Final Order Entered
• 1995-12-05Concluded
• 1995-12-05Enforcement Action Closed