The EPA New England Regional Office reported that a Taunton, Mass., textile finishing company will pay over $26,000 to settle claims that it violated federal water pollution control and chemical release notification laws during an accidental spill of hazardous chemicals last year.

The company, Harodite Industries Inc., will pay a penalty of $26,424 in settlement of an administrative enforcement action brought by the regional office. The complaint stemmed from a sodium hydroxide spill during a chemical delivery on March 2, 2005.

“It's very important that individuals and companies follow the appropriate industry practices related to bulk chemical deliveries and that they adhere to standard safety procedures,” said Robert W. Varney, regional administrator of the EPA's Region 1 (New England) office. “If there is a problem, it's critical that the appropriate emergency responders be notified immediately to quickly address any risks to human health or the environment.”

The agency's complaint alleged that Harodite violated the Clean Water Act, the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act, and the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act by discharging sodium hydroxide to the Three Mile River without a permit, and failing to notify the National Response Center and their local emergency planning committee immediately upon learning of the release.

Links

• For more information, visit www.epa.gov/region1/enforcement/epcra/index.html.