[미국] EPA, 알래스카 내 불법 자동차폐기물 처리 우물 폐쇄

최근 미국 환경보호국(EPA)은 알래스카 패어뱅크스(Fairbanks)에 있는 불법적인 자동차 폐기물 처리 우물을 폐쇄하기 위해 스테핑 스톤 빌더스(Stepping Stone Builders, Inc.)사와 합의에 도달했다.

EPA는 2000년에 자동차 폐기물 처리 우물을 금지시켰으며 식수의 지하 수원을 보호하기 위해 2005년까지 알래스카의 모든 기존 우물을 폐쇄하라고 요구했다. 스테핑 스톤 빌더스의 2016년 검사 중, EPA는 3개의 자동차 수리 및 유지 매장이 정화 시스템과 불법적으로 연결된 바닥 배수구를 갖고 있는 것을 알아냈다. 우물 및 정화 시스템은 공공 식수 시스템을 위한 지하수 보호 구역 내에 위치하고 있으며 다른 공공 수도 시스템과 가깝다.

이 회사는 「연방안전식수법」 위반으로 벌금 3만6천500달러를 냈다.

EPA는 알래스카 환경보호국과 협력하여 알래스카에 남아있는 약 200개의 자동차 폐기물 처리 우물을 폐쇄 중이다.

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FAIRBANKS COMPANY ORDERED TO CLOSE ILLEGAL MOTOR VEHICLE WASTE DISPOSAL WELL

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently reached an agreement with Stepping Stone Builders, Inc., to close an illegal motor vehicle waste disposal well in Fairbanks, Alaska.

 
EPA banned motor vehicle waste disposal wells in 2000 and required all existing wells in Alaska closed by 2005 to protect underground sources of drinking water. During a 2016 inspection of Stepping Stone Builders, EPA found three motor vehicle repair and maintenance shops had floor drains illegally connected to a septic system. The wells and septic system are located within a groundwater protection area for a public drinking water system and close to other public water systems.

 
"Motor vehicle waste disposal wells have the potential to allow oil, antifreeze, brake fluid and other hazardous chemicals to contaminate drinking water sources and put people’s health at risk," said Edward Kowalski, Director of the Office of Compliance and Enforcement in EPA’s Seattle office. "EPA will continue to focus on closing these illegal motor vehicle waste disposal wells to protect drinking water in Alaska."

The company also paid a $36,500 penalty for the alleged violations of the federal Safe Drinking Water Act.  EPA regulations banned new motor vehicle waste disposal injection wells nationwide in 2000 and required closure of all existing wells in Alaska by 2005 due to their high potential to endanger underground sources of drinking water. About 80 percent of Alaskans depend on groundwater for drinking water, and in rural areas, the percentage rises to about 90 percent.

EPA is working with the Alaska Department of Environmental Conservation to close an estimated 200 banned motor vehicle waste disposal wells remaining in Alaska. Owners and operators of facilities with these wells should contact EPA and Alaska DEC to learn how to improve their waste management practices to protect drinking water resources.

 
More information about motor vehicle waste disposal wells: https://www.epa.gov/uic/motor-vehicle-waste-disposal-wells.

[출처 = Water World / 2017년 8월 15일]