Details of Regulatory Actions
Reportable releases in the past 12 months
January 2012 – Starkville Plant – Less than 50 gallons of process cooling water were released from a manhole onto the pavement due to an unusually large return volume of process water into the return tank. This water did not appear to reach a waterway; however, the State was notified. The high-level alarm that was supposed to alert Maintenance did not work. Measures to provide additional return water capacity and alarm testing are being implemented to avoid a recurrence.
November 2011 – Carrollton Building Wire Plant – A process water make-up valve was inadvertently left open while the plant was shut down for the Thanksgiving holidays. Upon restart of the plant, the process water pumps were energized restoring flow to the subject valve. The open valve went unnoticed resulting in an overflow onto the plant floor and eventually an unpermitted discharge of approximately 25-50 gallons to Buffalo Creek. The material was process water potentially contaminated with soluble oil. Preventive measures are being employed to reduce the likeliness of a similar event occurring in the future.
September 2011 – Carrollton Building Wire Plant – During a heavy rainfall event, storm water volume exceeded the facility’s wastewater collection system pumping capacity resulting in a overflow discharge of approximately 20 gallons to Buffalo Creek. Absorbent booms were deployed across the creek, and an industrial cleaning vendor vacuumed oil sheen at the booms. An investigation has been initiated to prevent a future occurrence.
August 2011 – Starkville Plant – Approximately 120 gallons of process cooling water were discharged to a tributary of Glen Creek due to a plugged screen on a cooling tower. The cause of the overflow has been corrected, and additional preventative measures are being implemented to avoid a recurrence.
Letters of Noncompliance (LON), Notices of Violation (NOV), etc. in the past 12 months
July 2011 - Southwire's Douglas, GA manufacturing plant received a RCRA NOV for not having a waste determination for seven (7) lead-acid batteries during a site inspection. Appropriate documentation was subsequently provided to the GA EPD demonstrating that the batteries are reclaimed in accordance with 40 CFR 266.80. No monetary penalty was issued.
