Water Gremlin and the Minnesota Pollution Control Agency agreed to a settlement on March 1, 2019, to resolve the company’s violations of air quality regulations. The agreement is one of the largest settlements in the MPCA’s history, with a total value of over $7 million. The agreement is legally binding, and includes a number of requirements the company must meet to operate.
Water Gremlin Stipulation Agreement (aq-ei6-01b)
Key elements of the agreement
Civil penalty of $4.5 million
New operating conditions
- No TCE to be used on-site
- Must use a less toxic alternative product (FluoSolv)
Conduct frequent air monitoring
- Air monitors are now on all 4 sides of the property
- Water Gremlin reports air monitoring data every 3 days to MPCA
- Results processed by independent lab
- Water Gremlin will monitor for at least 5 years
New recordkeeping and reporting requirements
- Daily reporting on solvent use
- Monthly reporting of VOC emissions in previous 12 months (rolling sum)
New pollution control equipment
Supplemental Environmental Projects
- Total value of at least $1.5 million
- Plant 1,500 trees in White Bear Lake, White Bear Township, and Gem Lake
- Coordinate outreach project to reduce or eliminate TCE emissions at other facilities
Water Gremlin investigates and cleans up any TCE and lead contamination on property
- Soil, sediment, ground water and surface water will be tested
- If contamination is found, work outwards to determine the contaminated area
- Clean up any contamination found
- MPCA oversight
New air quality permit
- Draft permit spring 2019
- Public will have opportunities to review and comment on draft permit
- MPCA will hold a public meeting