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EPA Settles Cases Against Two Puerto Rico Companies for Stormwater Violations; Companies Will Pay a Total of $123,000 for Violations

Release Date: 05/03/2001
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(#01050) San Juan, Puerto Rico – Despite repeated efforts by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to assist companies in Puerto Rico in controlling on polluted runoff, two Puerto Rico companies will pay stiff fines for violating federal stormwater requirements. Polluted runoff occurs when rain water picks up pollutants from land surfaces and washes them into our waterways. Industria Lechera de Puerto Rico of San Juan and Thermal Ceramics Caribbean, Inc. of Ponce were cited by EPA for violating the Clean Water Act, which requires certain companies to obtain coverage under a multi-sector stormwater permit that requires them to develop and implement a pollution prevention plan to minimize runoff of polluted stormwater and to monitor their storm water discharges. While Industria Lechera de Puerto Rico and Thermal Ceramics, Inc. did have plans and controls in place to address polluted runoff, they failed to request coverage under EPA’s most recent stormwater permit. Companies are required to submit a request to be covered under this permit, which applies to many different industries throughout the U.S. "The Control of polluted runoff is key to cleaning up our waters," said William J. Muszynski, P.E., Acting Regional Administrator for EPA region 2. "Runoff is the leading cause of pollution for many waterways in the U.S. EPA is out there checking that facilities are complying with stormwater control requirements." Industria Lechera de Puerto Rico manufactures cheese, butter, powder milks and ultra high-temperature milk. This type of industry was required to ask for coverage under EPA’s general stormwater permit by September 1997. The company has agreed to pay $80,000 for its violations and is also now in compliance. Thermal Ceramics Caribbean, Inc. manufactures clay firebrick and other heat resistant clay products. This industry was also required to request coverage under EPA’s general stormwater permit by December 1998. The company has agreed to pay $43,000 for its violations and is now in compliance. EPA is helping facilities comply with the storm water regulations. Since 1991 on a yearly basis, the Agency has sponsored stormwater seminars in Puerto Rico and has provided compliance assistance to hundreds of regulated facilities. In spring 2000, about 200 people attended two EPA seminars in San Juan and in Mayaguez. For information about future seminars in Puerto Rico, contact EPA’s Caribbean Environmental Protection Division at (787) 729-6951. For further information about stormwater requirements, go to EPA’s Web site at https://www.epa.gov/owm/wet.htm