Max Environmental Technologies, Inc. (MAX) will take steps to manage the treatment and disposal of industrial wastewater at its waste management facility in Yukon, PA. This follows a joint agreement addressing the discharge of pollutants and operational failures identified by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) during a 2023 inspection. The EPA collaborated with the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PA DEP) on this case.
In March 2023, EPA officials inspected the Yukon facility to check compliance with its industrial wastewater and stormwater discharge permits. Inspectors documented several failures in maintaining and operating the facility, including holes in the wastewater treatment system, inadequate reporting of sample results, and lack of pollution prevention training for employees. Metals and other pollutants were found in landfill discharge and stormwater runoff from January 2022 to July 2023.
The Consent Order announced today requires MAX to eliminate potential hazardous wastewater releases into the environment and prevent unauthorized discharges from the Yukon facility. Requirements include retaining technical professionals for wastewater sampling, evaluating operations, and developing a plan to correct identified issues related to permit violations.
MAX operates under the Pennsylvania National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) issued by PA DEP in line with the federal Clean Water Act (CWA). In April 2024, an agreement was reached between EPA and MAX addressing compliance with state and federal hazardous waste management regulations.
Treated industrial wastewater from MAX’s Yukon facility is discharged into Sewickley Creek, which connects to Youghiogheny River before joining Monongahela River. The 160-acre waste facility is located about 30 miles southeast of Pittsburgh, PA, surrounded by agricultural and residential properties.
The EPA has scheduled a virtual listening session on Wednesday, October 9, 2024, from 6:30 pm to 8:00 pm EDT to hear community concerns regarding the MAX facility. More details can be found on the EPA webpage.
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