SAN FRANCISCO - The U.S Environmental Protection Agency has ordered
Patmont Motor Werks to comply with federal Clean Water Act requirements
for wastewater the company discharges to the Douglas County sewer system
and, ultimately, the municipal wastewater treatment plant.
Patmont Motor Werks operates a go-cart and scooter production facility on
Meridian Boulevard in Minden. The facility discharges process-related
wastewater into the Douglas County sewer system. Patmont Motor Werks
began operation at this facility four years ago.
"Patmont Motor Werks and other industries are responsible for complying with
federal water pollution control standards, to protect the local sewer system,
the wastewater treatment plant, and those who work in these areas," said
Alexis Strauss, director of the Water Division in the EPA's Pacific Southwest
region. "EPA will continue to oversee these efforts and ensure facilities are in
full compliance."
In Nov. 2007, the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, Douglas
County and EPA officials conducted a joint inspection of the Patmont Motor
Werks facility. EPA inspectors determined the facility was not complying with
Clean Water Act requirements for self-monitoring and reporting and was not
properly maintaining its wastewater treatment operations. Nevada is
authorized to implement most aspects of the federal Clean Water Act
programs, however, the implementation and enforcement of the pretreatment
program falls under jurisdiction of the EPA.
The EPA's order requires the facility to self-monitor, report to EPA, and
maintain its treatment system. By the end of April 2008, the facility needs to
start sampling and be in compliance with federal pollutant limits. The facility
must continue the monitoring required by the order until May 28, 2009.
