N.H. Scrap Metal Company Faces Fine for Polluted Water Discharges

Storm water monitoring by the Pease Development Authority, property owner of Grimmel Industries’ Portsmouth, N.H. facility, confirmed that storm water discharges from Grimmel’s metal scrapyard operations contain metals, suspended solids and chemical oxygen demand that exceed permit benchmarks. The storm water discharges contain mercury and PCBs that cause or contribute to an exceedance of water quality standards.

Grimmel had several violations of the “Multi-sector General Permit for Stormwater Discharges Associated with Industrial Activity,” including failing to perform required inspections or sampling and not taking corrective actions or required reviews of its Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan to address the exceedances of benchmarks and water quality standards. Grimmel has also previously discharged storm water and dust suppressant wastewater to the Piscataqua River, which is not allowed by the permit.

Following an EPA order in April 2011, Grimmel has terminated its unpermitted process water discharge and taken measures to minimize pollutants in its storm water.

Rainwater running off industrial sites such as metal scrapyards can carry sediments, oil and other pollutants that contaminate nearby streams, ponds and rivers. Sediments and chemicals can also contribute to fish die-offs, toxic algae blooms, contaminated shellfish beds and closed swimming beaches.

EPA inspected Grimmel Industries after receiving correspondence and relevant data from the New Hampshire office of the Conservation Law Foundation.

Source: U.S. EPA