EPA v. Holcim Inc. Portland Plant

Case summary

On February 10th, the NPDES Enforcement Section issued a CAFO to Amrize Cement Inc. for alleged Clean Water Act Section 402 violations at its Portland Cement Plant in Florence, Colorado. The facility is authorized to discharge to the Arkansas River under NPDES individual permit CO0000671 and general permit COR900000 (certification COR900923). The action follows a Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment (CDPHE) referral and an EPA inspection conducted in September 2024. EPA alleges the facility: (1) discharged groundwater and collected runoff not authorized by permit CO0000671, (2) exceeded effluent limits for total suspended solids, aluminum, pH, and acute toxicity, (3) failed to properly operate and maintain treatment and control systems, (4) failed to conducted required sampling, and (5) failed to implement a Stormwater Management Plan, as required by permit COR900000. The Arkansas River is a water of the United States under the Clean Water Act, as well as state waters under Colorado law. Amrize implemented corrective actions to address the alleged violations listed above. The CAFO was public noticed for 30 days. Under the CAFO, Amrize paid a civil penalty of $194,025.

Defendants (1)

• Amrize Cement Inc.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (4)

• PORTLAND CEMENT PLANT

  3500 HWY 120, FLORENCE, CO, 81226

  Registry ID: 110072218759

• PORTLAND CEMENT PLANT

  3500 HWY 120, FLORENCE, CO, 81226

  Registry ID: 110072218759

• PORTLAND PLANT

  3500 STATE HWY 120, FLORENCE, CO, 81226

  Registry ID: 110072218759

• PORTLAND PLANT

  3500 STATE HWY 120, FLORENCE, CO, 81226

  Registry ID: 110072218759

Statutes cited

• CWA 301/402 — NPDES Permit Violations

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Holcim Inc. Portland Plantentered 2026-02-10

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $194,025

Timeline (5 milestones)

• 2026-02-10Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2026-02-10Final Order Issued
• 2026-02-18NPDES Closed
• 2026-02-18Enforcement Action Closed
• 2026-02-23Enforcement Action Data Entered