Feb. 27, 2007 — The EPA has fined Bay State Galvanizing, Inc., of Everett, Mass., for violating the terms of its permit to discharge storm water under the Clean Water Act. Bay State Galvanizing will pay a cash penalty of $40,000 to settle the EPA’s claims.

The EPA says that Bay State violated the federal Clean Water Act by failing to update and implement a storm water pollution prevention plan at the facility; the conclusion was the result of an agency investigation. The EPA also concluded that the company violated the federal Resources Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) and related Massachusetts laws, due to the company’s failure to comply with training requirements to reduce risks of employee exposure to hazardous wastes.

Bay State conducts metal finishing operations in an industrial section of Everett. Storm water from Bay State’s operations discharges through two storm drains to a City of Everett location, which then discharges to the Island End River, and then ultimately into the Mystic River. EPA inspectors discovered that Bay State has failed to implement its “Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan,” which is required under the Storm Water Multi-Sector General Permit for Industrial Activities, which outlines the facility’s responsibilities for storm water management. Implementation of the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan should reduce the pollutants in storm water discharges from the facility.

Last August, EPA issued an Administrative Order requiring Bay State to update and implement its Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan, utilizing best management practices and complying with inspection, sampling and training requirements. That order also directed Bay State to comply with RCRA training requirements, thus reducing the risk of employee exposure to hazardous waste and helping ensure that Bay State will manage its waste in an environmentally protective manner.

Under terms of the settlement, Bay State will pay a combined fine for both violations of $40,000.