Launderer fined for wastewater discharge

An industrial launderer has been forced to pay $525,000 (£325,000) for breaching US environmental legislation by discharging wastewater inappropriately.

AmeriPride Service - formerly known as the American Linen Supply - will pay the penalty under the terms of a settlement for alleged violations of federal and state clean water laws after discharging low pH wastewater to the sewer system that flows into the Metropolitan District Commission's wastewater treatment facility in Hartford.

Ira Leighton, acting regional administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) New England Office, said that the EPA remains committed to protecting the environment and public treatment works from harmful industrial discharges.

"The case serves to help level the playing field by showing that EPA will pursue industrial violators of federal and state environmental laws," she said.

US attorney Nora R Dannehy added that the agreement represents a fair and just resolution of the matter that will hopefully teach businesses generating wastewater that they must abide by all the requirements of their discharge permits.

Written by Claire Manning