The U.S. EPA announced that Roubin & Janeiro, Inc., owner of an asphalt manufacturing facility in Washington, D.C., has agreed to actions to protect the Anacostia River from polluted storm water runoff.
The EPA cited the company for: failing to take required measures to reduce pollution discharges, including failing to minimize exposure of material storage areas to storm water runoff; failing to properly store solid waste debris; failing to minimize potential for leaks and spills; and failing to prepare an adequate site map in the facility’s Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan.
This citation came from a joint inspection by EPA and the D.C. Department of Energy and the Environment (DOEE).
The company will implement measures to reduce polluted runoff including: construction of aggregate containment structures; construction of a vehicle pollutant containment structure; updating the site map and storm water pollution prevention training protocol; updating site inspection schedules and processes; and updating its pollution prevention plan.
These measures are intended to minimize the flow of asphalt manufacturing related storm water pollutants to the Anacostia River, according to the agency.
While the company agreed to the consent order, it neither admitted nor denied the factual allegations or liability for the alleged violations.
“Uncontrolled storm water runoff from industrial and construction sites often contains oil and grease, chemicals, nutrients and oxygen‑demanding compounds and other pollutants,” said the EPA. “The Clean Water Act requires owners of certain industrial and construction operations to obtain a permit before discharging storm water runoff into waterways. These permits include pollution-reducing ‘best management practices,’ such as spill prevention safeguards, material storage and coverage requirements, runoff reduction measures, and employee training.”