[CPEO-MEF] Army Agrees to Improve Wastewater Procedures at Fort Lewis

[CPEO Moderator <cpeo@cpeo.org>]

US EPA Region 10

http://www.epa.gov/region10/

Army Agrees to Improve Wastewater Procedures at Fort Lewis
00-30

May 24, 2000

The Environmental Protection Agency today announced it has reached
agreement with the U.S. Army on steps the Army will take to correct chronic
water pollution discharge problems at the Fort Lewis Army Installation. 

Discharge Monitoring Reports from 1998 through May 1999 note 146 separate
violations of an EPA-issued National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System
(NPDES) permit. The violations were primarily for excessive discharge of
oil and grease from auto and helicopter wash facilities. The Army is
allowed to discharge polluted water into Puget Sound at Solo Point, but
only in amounts specified in the NPDES permit.

In the agreement announced today, the Army agrees to:

* change its wastewater handling process at an auto wash;

* prepare a plan to deal with the problems at the helicopter wash; 

* upgrade oil and grease treatment at its outfalls facilities;
 
* and upgrade a stormwater outfall as part of a major barracks renewal
project.

According to Bub Loiselle, manager of EPA's water quality compliance unit
in Seattle, the Army has been cooperative but more needs to be done.

"It's a matter of fairness and doing the right thing," Loiselle said.
"Private businesses spend hard-earned money to comply with their permits.
The Army has the same responsibility to taxpayers to keep our local waters
clean. The agreement we've reached with Fort Lewis shows that the Army is
serious about its environmental responsibilities."
                                      ###

Unit: Office of Water Quality 
Point of contact: Bub Loiselle
E-Mail: Loiselle.bub@epa.gov
Phone Number: (206) 553-6901
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