On April 30, 2024, the Director of ECAD, Region 3, entered into an AOC with the City of Salem ( Respondent ) for violations of its West Virginia Pollutant Discharge Elimination System ( NPDES ) Permit for Domestic Sewage, Permit No. WV0020257 ( the Permit ). Respondent is the owner and/or operator of a domestic sewage wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) located at 229 W. Main Street, Salem, WV (the Facility ). The Facility discharges from its wastewater treatment plant into Salem Fork, a tributary to the Monongahela River.
Violations identified at the Facility include ninety-five Permit exceedances of the instantaneous maximum limits for biological oxygen demand (BOD), coliform, and total suspended solids (TSS) as well the instantaneous minimum limits for nitrogen and phosphorous. Additionally, Respondent failed to perform whole effluent toxicity ( WET ) test in accordance with the frequency and reporting requirements of the Permit. The injunctive relief sought in the AOC is intended to resolve the outstanding violations and return the Facility to compliance. The Facility is located in an environmental justice community per EJ screen. EPA has coordinated with WVDEP throughout the enforcement process.