Mary
S. Nash
NashHulme@msn.com
972-962-7706
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality
Re:
2000
W. Fair,
Dear
Mr. Espino:
I
am writing to ask your assistance in resolving an issue that I believe to be
illegal and certainly constitutes a risk to human health.
Dallas Crown Packing is located within the corporate boundaries of the
City of
My
concerns are further supported by the following items that I am enclosing for
your review:
·
San Antonio Current
article dated
·
Kaufman
city employee Mike Merritt’s
·
·
List
of monthly test results from
January 2000 through May 2003 showing Dallas Crown’s BOD levels to be
non-compliant during many of those months
·
Section
106-130, Authority to Disconnect Service from Kaufman’s Industrial Waste
Ordinance
I
was unaware of Dallas Crown’s long history of repeat violations until I read
the San Antonio Current article. I
have subsequently thoroughly reviewed the documents and compliance history
alluded to in the article. As a
Kaufman property owner, sewer customer, and taxpayer, I am concerned that our
municipal sewer system is being strained by Dallas Crown’s illegal discharge.
I
am also aware that the City of
Mr.
Merritt’s letters referenced above make clear some of my additional concerns
as an adjacent property owner. In
his
Please
note that Section 106-130 of Kaufman’s Industrial Waste Ordinance states that
the city may terminate service when “A governmental agency
informs the city that the effluent from the wastewater treatment plant is no
longer of a quality permitted for discharge to a watercourse, and it is found
that the customer is delivering wastewater to the city's system that cannot be
sufficiently treated or requires treatment that is not provided by the city as
normal domestic treatment;”. I
am asking your assistance by conducting a thorough investigation into the
compliance history of this industrial plant and a complete technical review of
Dallas Crown's pre-treatment process if any.
I
realize that the City should handle this matter under its own authority as a
home-rule municipality. However, the
plant's economic impact on the community may overshadow the City's desire to
strictly enforce its environmental regulations.
Indeed, Dallas Crown has already been in violation of our Industrial
Waste Ordinance several times over the last several months, and I know of no
action by the City to terminate municipal services.
Should
you have any questions about this request or need any additional information,
please do not hesitate to contact me at the letterhead address or telephone
number. Thank you in advance for
your assistance in helping to resolve this persistent issue and in helping to
protect the human health and environment of our community.
Sincerely,
Mary S. Nash
Encl.
Cc
w/encl: Ms.
Paulette Johnsey, Acting Chief
Permits Branch (6WQ-P)
Jan Malone, Environmental Investigator
Region 4 - TCEQ