Water Pollution: Tonawanda Coke discharges Toxic Cyanide

Things do NOT go better with Tonawanda Coke.
The Buffalo area company that produces foundry coke for the steel industry has already been cited by the EPA for pollution of the air with carcinogenic benzene (and what about the land? -- see blackened area on the map).
Now EPA finds the company is discharging toxic cyanide into the water!

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EPA Issues Order to Tonawanda Coke for Clean Water Act Violations
In its ongoing efforts to require Tonawanda Coke Corporation (TCC) to comply with environmental regulations, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ordered the coke manufacturing facility to comply with its Clean Water Act permit. Among other violations, Tonawanda Coke Corporation is discharging industrial wastewater containing cyanide in excess of its permit limits into the town of Tonawanda’s sanitary sewer system, which ultimately discharges into the Niagara River from the town’s wastewater treatment facility. Cyanide is a toxic chemical compound, and excessive amounts may adversely impact human health, fish and wildlife. EPA is also ordering TCC to properly monitor and treat the wastewater that results from the coke-making process. Under EPA’s order, TCC is required to complete the overdue installation of pollution controls, improve monitoring and provide additional information about operations at the facility.

"Cyanide is toxic and cannot be discharged in amounts that exceed the limits specified in the facility’s permit," said Judith Enck, EPA Regional Administrator. "If left unchecked and uncontrolled, industrial discharges pollute the environment and may threaten public health. We will continue to work with the state to identify and get the company to rectify the many violations of various environmental laws at this facility."

"Failure to abide by the Clean Water Act can result in chemicals and contamination reaching our waterways," said DEC Commissioner Pete Grannis. "We will continue to work with EPA to vigorously monitor Tonawanda Coke and ensure that all environmental laws are being followed."
Read more here...


EPA cites coke plant for cyanide violations
Elevated levels put into sewer system
By Mark Sommer
Tonawanda Coke is in hot water with the Environmental Protection Agency again.
This time it’s for putting elevated amounts of cyanide into the Town of Tonawanda’s sanitary sewer system, which ultimately discharges into the Niagara River after being treated.

The EPA on Thursday ordered the coke manufacturing plant to comply with its Clean Water Act permit and to properly monitor and treat the wastewater that results from the coke-making process. The EPA order follows several get-tough actions it has taken in the past year to force Tonawanda Coke to comply with federal regulations, especially over high levels of the carcinogen benzene.

Erin Heaney, executive director of the Clean Air Coalition of WNY, expressed alarm at the illegal levels of cyanide that have been discharged, while praising the EPA for its diligence with Tonawanda Coke. “The EPA is really following through on its notices of violation issued in January,” she said. “They didn’t just come and do a big presentation and leave; they are really making sure that Tonawanda Coke will have safer operations.”

Melissa Brinson, a Town of Tonawanda mother of four, agreed. “They’re taking action now, and I’m really glad to see that. But the big question is, how long has this gone on, and what are the long-term health implications?”
The full report is at BuffaloNews.com.