On March 2, 2016, EPA filed a consent agreement and final order (CAFO) resolving violations of the Clean Water Act by Advance Coatings Company. Advance Coatings operates a plastics material and resin manufacturing facility located in Westminster, Massachusetts. Due to human error, Advance Coatings staff over-filled a container with styrene monomer. The resulting spill entered the Fitchburg, Massachusetts sewage collection system through a failed berm around a floor drain and caused two days of pass-through and one day of interference at the city?s wastewater treatment plant. In addition, the company has discharged stormwater associated with industrial activity without a permit and has failed to apply for permit coverage. Finally, Advance Coatings had not developed and implemented a spill prevention, control, and countermeasure plan.
Advance Coatings will come into compliance with the CWA by June 30, 2016, including by modifying its operations somewhat so that it qualifies for Certification of No Exposure to Storm Water. Advance Coatings has agreed to pay a penalty of $38,860 to resolve the violations.