Rhode Island Concrete Manufacturer Fined by EPA

The Environmental Protection Agency has proposed a fine of $177,500 for PRM Concrete Corp. over the company illegally discharging stormwater and process water in violation of the federal Clean Water Act.

According to the EPA’s New England office, PRM violated the Clean Water Act by discharging stormwater and process water to municipal catch basins and to the Seekonk River without the required authorization under a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit.

The EPA reports that PRM has ceased operations.

The violations at PRM occurred from October 2005 through August 2008.

In a release, the EPA claims the company committed the following violations:

• Discharged stormwater associated with industrial activity, without authorization, from October 2005 until August 2008;

• Discharged process water, without authorization, from October 2005 until May 2007; and

• Failed to file for permit coverage for the stormwater discharges from its facility until August 2008.

PRM informed EPA towards of the end of September that it had ceased operations.

“Stormwater runoff from industry often carries sediment, debris and other pollutants into nearby waterways,” says Curt Spalding, regional administrator of EPA’s New England office. “It is everyone’s responsibility to protecting our waters and it is up to industry to assess the adequacy of their own stormwater controls.”