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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - Dec. 3, 1998
98-207
Contact: Sandy Howard, public information manager, (360) 407-6239
Marc Pacifico, water quality specialist, (360) 407-6282
OLYMPIA - Exide Corporation of Sumner has been fined $12,000 by the state Department of Ecology (Ecology) for releasing copper to Sumner's wastewater treatment plant in September.
The levels of copper released by Exide were higher than the amounts allowed under its waste-discharge permit, which is required by state law and administered by Ecology.
Exide manufactures batteries, such as those used in automobiles, and generates copper as a byproduct of the process. The company has a history of releasing lead and copper through its waste water.
High levels of lead and copper, which are toxic to humans, fish and wildlife, settle in the sludge produced at the wastewater treatment plant. The sludge from this and other wastewater treatment plants in Pierce County is applied to various land sites permitted by the county.
"Copper and lead are toxic. We cannot allow these chemicals to stream uncontrolled into our environment," said Keli McKay-Means, a water-quality manager for Ecology. "Ecology places a priority on working with industry to prevent and stop toxic releases that compromise a clean, healthy environment which is vital to all life."
Exide's discharge reports, dating back to March 1996, show it violated limits for lead and copper on numerous occasions during that time. Ecology notified Exide of its failure to comply many times during this period and has twice fined Exide for similar violations.
Exide Corporation is located at 2005 Fryar Ave., in Sumner.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
