WIXOM (WWJ) – Tribar Manufacturing, the Wixom auto supplier responsible for a chemical release that threatened the Huron River system, has been served multiple violation notices from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy.
EGLE officials on Wednesday announced Wednesday the department’s Water Resources Division issued the violations late Tuesday and initiated accelerated enforcement related to issues that stem from a release of a plating solution the weekend of July 29.
Authorities say that solution contained hexavalent chromium, a carcinogen known to cause cancer. Officials say the liquid was released into the sanitary sewer system. Water from that system is routed to the Wixom wastewater treatment facility, which is discharged into Norton Creek. The creek in turn flows into the Huron River system.
While the chemical was dumped the last weekend of July, EGLE officials say their department wasn’t notified immediately after discovering the discharge, which is required under law and their industrial user discharge permit.
Tribar was also cited for sending an unauthorized discharge of pollutants to the treatment facility, which also resulted in interference to the treatment process. Officials say that violates pretreatment rules in the Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act (NREPA).
Another citation includes failing to maintain a properly updated Pollution Incident Prevention Plan (PIPP) and failing to certify compliance with NREPA rules regarding spillage of oil and polluting materials.
The Detroit Free Press reports the company overrode 460 alarms as the chemical moved towards the river.
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The company has until Aug. 20 to respond in writing to the violation notices. Tribar Manufacturing will have to respond to a series of questions “designed to determine exactly what happened, and when, that led up to the release,” EGLE said in a press release.
“Repeated requests by EGLE investigators for this critical information have not been adequately addressed by Tribar,” officials said.
Spokesperson Jill Greenberg tells WWJ there are also emissions violations related to the storage of other chemicals at the plant. Tribar will be responsible for reimbursing the state for testing and clean up.
As for how much the company could be fined, Greenberg says “it depends on a multitude of factors” that will be considered before determining a fine.
More information on the citations issued to Tribar can be found on the EGLE website.