Contact: Kayla Bromelkamp, 651-757-2468
St. Paul, Minn – The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency has penalized Flame Metals Processing Corporation for improper disposal of waste and wastewater at its processing plant in Rogers.
An extensive investigation by Hennepin County’s Department of Environmental Services led the MPCA to conclude that the company sent toxic wastewater treatment sludge and filters with a potential to release toxic fumes in common waste situations to a regular solid waste landfill instead of a hazardous waste facility equipped to properly handle the waste. The company also discharged wastewater that did not meet limit requirements for discharge to the publicly owned wastewater treatment facility.
The MPCA has assessed Flame Metals with a $10,000 penalty for the violations. In addition, the company will be required to implement a supplemental environmental project with a minimum investment of $90,000. The company chose to purchase new wastewater treatment equipment at a cost of $235,700. This new equipment is designed to effectively treat cyanide and help ensure wastewater discharged from the facility exceeds the requirements for discharging to the public facility. The public wastewater plant treats water and reduces pollutants to levels that meet water quality standards.
Exceeding wastewater discharge limits has the potential to shut down the wastewater treatment facility and can affect all operators who discharge to the facility.
More information is available on the MPCA website at http://www.pca.state.mn.us.
