The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has cited Leed Foundry Inc. for violating hazardous waste and water pollution regulations at its iron foundry in St. Clair, Pa.

Leed Foundry produces gray iron castings from scrap iron. The company dumped baghouse dust containing hazardous levels of cadmium and lead on the ground and on an outside concrete pad in violation of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

EPA also cited Leed Foundry for stormwater violations associated with the dumping. The Clean Water Act requires owners of certain industrial and construction operations to obtain a stormwater permit and implement ‘best management practices,’ including pollution-reducing measures such as covering industrial debris and other pollutants. Stormwater runoff at the facility came into contact with baghouse dust and other contaminants before flowing into storm sewers that discharged into nearby Mill Creek. The facility did not obtain a required stormwater permit for this discharge until March of 2004.

EPA is proposing a $157,000 penalty for the Clean Water Act violations, and will propose an additional penalty for the RCRA violations after the company presents information on its compliance efforts. The company has the right to a hearing to contest the alleged violations and proposed penalties.