The state has issued multiple violation notices to a Wixom automotive supplier that officials say is responsible for the release of a carcinogen into the Huron River system.
The Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy could seek “full cost recovery” from Tribar Manufacturing for the incident, according to a statement Wednesday, Aug. 10, from EGLE.
EGLE’s Water Resources Division issued violations late Tuesday for the unauthorized release of a plating solution containing hexavalent chromium the weekend of July 29, the statement said.
Hexavalent chromium is a carcinogen, commonly used in manufacturing processes, particularly in the automotive industry.
EGLE’s Air Quality Division issued separate notices related to a July 21 inspection – prior to and not directly related to the release.
Tribar is closed by a cease and desist order from the city of Wixom, according to Hugh McDiarmid Jr., EGLE spokesman.
Tribar released the liquid containing hexavalent chromium to the Wixom Sewage Treatment Facility. The sewer feeds the Wixom Wastewater Treatment Plant, which discharges to the Huron River system.
Water sampling found a low level of hexavalent chromium in the middle of Kent Lake and two samples also found low levels of the carcinogen in Hubbell Pond, also known as Mill Pond, in Milford, EGLE said in previous statements.
Other than those three samples, dozens of others along the Huron River found no detectable levels of the chemical.
The EGLE Water Resources Division cited Tribar for violations including:
–Failing to immediately notify EGLE immediately after discovering the discharge as required under the law and their industrial user discharge permit.
–Sending an unauthorized discharge of pollutants to the wastewater treatment facility that resulted in interference to the treatment process, violating pretreatment rules in the Michigan Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Act.
–Failure to maintain a properly updated Pollution Incident Prevention Plan and failing to certify compliance with NREPA rules regarding spillage of oil and polluting materials.
EGLE gave the company until Aug. 20 to respond in writing to the violation notices.
“Repeated requests by EGLE investigators for this critical information have not been adequately addressed by Tribar,” the statement from EGLE said.
“Due to the seriousness of the violations, EGLE has initiated accelerated enforcement, which will initiate an administrative consent order process and seek full cost recovery from Tribar,” the statement said.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services has issued an advisory that people and pets not swim in, play in, wade in or consume fish from the Huron River between North Wixom Road in Oakland County and Kensington Road in Livingston County. The state also advises against watering plants from that section of river or drinking water directly from it.
The state says that tap water and well water in the area are unaffected.
Tribar’s air quality violations include:
–Metal treatment tanks not being properly controlled, which may have allowed unauthorized emissions of nickel and total chrome.
–Failure to keep proper records that would document compliance with air permit conditions for various processes.
The air quality notices include multiple instances of records not being kept as required in the company’s air permits. The company has until Aug. 30 to respond.
Company officials could not be reached for comment.