Wastewater Spill Case Study
Quote from a Major Food Manufacturer in Georgia: “Following a major environmental spill that affected local / state water streams and the county municipality, there was no way we could have waded through the overwhelming local, State, and Federal regulatory issues alone while trying to run a business and keep everyone employed. The folks at Rindt-McDuff did just that: They were instrumental in helping us to meet with code enforcement issues over four months of sampling, planning, mitigation, and rebuilding. The team at Rindt-McDuff made us a priority and guided us during the whole process from the cleanup phase and back to operations. They also did the heavy lifting in meetings with local, State, and Federal Officials. The whole deal was daunting, to say the least. I do now, and will, recommend Rindt-McDuff Associates (RMA) as a partner who knows the legal system and speaks their language. Their representation was priceless, and their reputation carries a lot of weight. Don’t try to take on the acronyms without Rindt-McDuff. You will not find a better company.”
Details of the Wastewater Spill EHS Compliance Project:
- In January of 2019, a methane buildup in a wastewater treatment tank at major food manufacturers resulted in a rupture and spill. In the aftermath of this spill event, the EHS Manager sought out RMA to help with the associated remediation and environmental compliance efforts, then retained RMA’s services to assist with other areas of environmental assistance.
- RMA’s approach included bringing a multi-disciplinary team of environmental professionals together to solve the food manufacturer’s immediate remediation planning, permitting, and coordination needs. In addition. RMA identified other areas of regulatory compliance for improvement.
- Before the 2019 wastewater spill, the food manufacturer was operating without an SPCC plan, without an industrial stormwater permit, and without an industrial wastewater pretreatment and air permits.
Project Results
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- Brian Rindt (Environmental Specialist, PE, Attorney) Consulted with the major food manufacturer and Georgia EPD following a wastewater spill to develop a mutually agreeable remediation plan, including soil and water monitoring, which carried it to completion.
- Karen Styes (Environmental Specialist) Generated and submitted an updated pretreatment permit application and assembled a Slug Control Plan for the site.
- Joe Hartline (CHMM) Managed the preparation of an updated air permit application for VOC and HAP emissions from the site’s wastewater treatment plant.
- John Minch (Civil Engineer, EIT) Prepared a Spill Control and Countermeasure Plan for the site and assisted with the industrial stormwater permit application process.