EPA representatives who inspected Heartland Plating’s operations in Bettendorf last month discovered spilled and abandoned materials throughout the facility for which the company’s representatives could not provide complete and accurate hazardous waste determinations.
EPA inspectors determined that the company violated the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) by improperly storing or treating wastes like chromium, zinc, cyanide, cobalt, potassium permanganate, sulfuric acid, hydrochloric acid, sodium hydroxide and hydrogen peroxide.
The unilateral administrative order now requires Heartland Plating and its owners to refrain from removing materials currently located at the facility until EPA determines whether the waste is being handled safely and restrict access to areas of the property where the wastes have been stored or disposed.
The EPA will identify all solid and hazardous wastes currently being treated, stored or disposed at the facility and will accordingly certify compliance with hazardous waste regulations or order to halt the generation and management of wastes until such certification can be made.
The respondents are also needed to devise a plan for proper management or disposal of all solid and hazardous wastes at the facility in compliance with RCRA regulations and undertake an immediate cleanup of any hazardous releases on the property or at any surrounding areas that may be contaminated.
