Lewiston company pleads guilty to Clean Water Act violation | Environment

A Lewiston company pled guilty today to violating the Clean Water Act during a 2009 incident.

Howell Machine, Inc. discharged hazardous waste into their shop’s drain which led right into the local sewer system.

According to their plea agreement, one of their industrial processes at the time included rinsing and recycling og brass cartridges from bullets for resale. Rinsing, tumbling and recycling the brass generated high levels of lead into the waste water.

The rinse was discharged into the local sewer system without a permit. A later inspection confirmed the negligent disposal.

The case was investigated by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. EPA special agent, Tyler Amon says dumping toxic waste into local sewer lines put the entire treatment system at risk for damage and contamination.

U.S. Magistrate Judge Candy W. Dale placed the company on probation for two years and ordered them to pay a $10,000 fine.