EPA Enforcement Roundup: Week of 8/24

The EPA Enforcement Roundup gives you insight into how and why US EPA and State partners assess penalties for environmental noncompliance.

All violations or claims discussed below are alleged only unless we say otherwise, and we withhold the names of organizations and individuals to protect their privacy.

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A mustard and vinegar manufacturing company settled with US EPA to resolve alleged Clean Water Act violations.

According to US EPA, the facility allegedly violated its stormwater discharge permit that resulted in acidic pollutant discharges into a tributary of the Souhegan River. Past enforcement actions resulted in the company being required to monitor the tributary as it passes through the facility.

According to the complaint, on at least 1,728 days between November 2019 and December 2026, the company’s monitoring results showed high levels of acidity, indicating unauthorized wastewater discharges from the facility. Also, the company failed to provide its compliance information to EPA in a timely manner, as required by the Clean Water Act. The Agency proposed a penalty of $50,000, and the company will implement a comprehensive environmental compliance program.

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A major automobile motor manufacturer in Alabama faces a civil penalty for alleged noncompliance with State hazardous waste regulations.

The company operates an automotive manufacturing facility in Montgomery, Alabama. The Alabama Department of Environmental Management proposed a penalty of $16,760 for alleged hazardous waste violations.

The alleged violations include sending hazardous waste to a facility that is not authorized to receive hazardous waste and failures to:

• Perform adequate waste determinations.
• Properly label containers and tanks of hazardous waste, used oil, and universal waste and failure to keep such containers closed.
• Post “No Smoking” signs wherever there is a hazard from ignitable or reactive waste.
• Provide central accumulation areas with sufficiently impervious bases.
• Restrict unauthorized access to central accumulation areas and post warning signs at each entrance.
• Demonstrate the length of time universal wastes have been accumulated.
• Maintain written job descriptions for hazardous waste personnel.
• Provide documentation that copies of the contingency plan and quick reference guide have been submitted to local emergency responders.

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A boat builder based in Washington State faces a penalty for alleged dangerous waste violations.

The builder’s site is a large quantity generator, generating waste paint, solvents, oils, sandblast abrasives, and other industrial waste. The state’s Department of Ecology conducted an inspection in November 2025 and cited 20 violations. Many of these were repeat violations found during previous inspections.

The DOE issued a $39,000 penalty. Alleged dangerous waste violations included failure to:

• Promptly designate waste.
• Keep containers of dangerous waste closed.
• Label containers of dangerous waste properly.
• Label containers of dangerous waste with accumulation start dates.
• Conduct weekly inspections.

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Tags: Clean Water Act, EPA Enforcement Roundup, hazardous waste, hazardous waste management, RCRA