CHICAGO (Sept.26, 2011) The U.S. Environmental…
CHICAGO (Sept.26, 2011) – The
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has approved permit
applications by Environmental Geo-Technologies LLC (EGT) to operate
two hazardous waste injection wells in Romulus, Mich. The new permits contain
stricter conditions to protect the environment than previous
permits that were granted to prior operators of the facility. EPA
will require EGT to:
n Increase site security.
n Increase the frequency of mechanical integrity
testing.
n Comply with stricter requirements for operator
training including an annual continuing education
requirement.
n Increase sampling and analysis of every waste load to
better characterize the waste before it is injected into the
wells.
n Undergo regular independent compliance
audits.
n Make company information and reports readily available
to the public on a website and at a public repository such as a
library. Suggestions on the location of the public repository and
what it should contain should be sent to Allan Batka,
[email protected], EPA Region 5 (WU-16J), 77 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago,
IL 60604-3590.
The wells were constructed in 2002 and initially operated by Environmental Disposal Systems (EDS). In 2007, EPA terminated EDS’ permits to operate the wells, citing poor recordkeeping, inexperienced and ill-trained operators, failure to perform emergency tests and failure to tell regulators that ownership had been passed to another company, RDD Operations LLC.
Interim owners RDD Operations LLC repaired and made changes to the facility, including lining the well cellars with leak-proof material and replacing both leaking and intact gaskets at the well entry point. The permit is available on EPA’s website: www.epa.gov/region5/water/uic/egt. Background documents about the wells and the permit application are available at the same website.