USDA Makes Available More Than $60 Million in School Meals, Launches New Partnership
WASHINGTON, Oct. 11, 2023 – Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack today visited Annandale Terrace Elementary School in Annandale, Virginia, where he unveiled two new grant opportunities plus a training and technical assistance partnership to help schools continue to invest in nutritious school meals.
EPA Orders Three Ohio Drinking Water Suppliers to Comply with Requirements of America’s Water Infrastructure Act
CHICAGO (Oct. 11, 2023) – U.S. Environmental Protection Agency has issued orders to three water systems in Ohio for failing to meet requirements under America’s Water Infrastructure Act of 2018, or AWIA. EPA took action to ensure the Village of McDonald, the Leading Creek Conservancy District in Rutland and the Buckeye Water District in Wellsville certify their risk and resilience assessments and emergency response plans.
A risk and resilience assessment evaluates the vulnerabilities, threats, and consequences from potential hazards to drinking water systems. An emergency response plan describes strategies, resources, plans, and procedures that systems can use to prepare for and respond to an incident, natural or man-made, that threatens life, property, or the environment. Incidents can range from localized flooding or hacking of cybersecurity systems to large scale hurricanes, earthquakes, or terrorist attacks, among other examples.
Under AWIA, any drinking water system which serves more than 3,300 people must develop or update a risk and resilience assessment and an emergency response plan. The law also establishes deadlines for certifying completion to EPA. Nationwide, more than 96% of water systems have complied with the requirements under AWIA.
EPA is ordering the systems to submit a detailed compliance plan within 30 days for review and approval.
EPA continues to work with drinking water systems to ensure they are compliant. To date, EPA has issued orders to a total of 17 drinking water systems in Michigan, Illinois and Ohio. Twelve orders were terminated after the systems returned to compliance.
More information on AWIA requirements is available on EPA’s website.
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A risk and resilience assessment evaluates the vulnerabilities, threats, and consequences from potential hazards to drinking water systems. An emergency response plan describes strategies, resources, plans, and procedures that systems can use to prepare for and respond to an incident, natural or man-made, that threatens life, property, or the environment. Incidents can range from localized flooding or hacking of cybersecurity systems to large scale hurricanes, earthquakes, or terrorist attacks, among other examples.
Under AWIA, any drinking water system which serves more than 3,300 people must develop or update a risk and resilience assessment and an emergency response plan. The law also establishes deadlines for certifying completion to EPA. Nationwide, more than 96% of water systems have complied with the requirements under AWIA.
EPA is ordering the systems to submit a detailed compliance plan within 30 days for review and approval.
EPA continues to work with drinking water systems to ensure they are compliant. To date, EPA has issued orders to a total of 17 drinking water systems in Michigan, Illinois and Ohio. Twelve orders were terminated after the systems returned to compliance.
More information on AWIA requirements is available on EPA’s website.
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MEDIA ADVISORY: EPA to Highlight work under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at the Tower Chemical Site in Clermont, Fla.
ORLANDO, Fla. (October 11, 2023) — Tomorrow, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) officials will hold an event to highlight work performed under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law at the Tower Chemical Site in Clermont, Fla. located at 14151 County Road 455 (Montverde Road).
The Tower Chemical Site was selected to receive funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to allow for a cleanup suitable for reuse and redevelopment once the Superfund cleanup is complete.
WHO: EPA
WHAT: Press Event
WHEN: Thursday, October 12, 2023, 9a.m. to 10a.m. ET
WHERE: 14151 County Road. 455 (Montverde Road) Clermont, Fla. 34711
BIL Funding is allowing EPA to address the contaminated groundwater under the Tower Chemical Company Site by solidifying and stabilizing the subsurface down to 70 feet to lock the contamination in place and restore the aquifer to beneficial use as drinking water. The 16-acre Tower Chemical Company Superfund site is located about 5-miles east of Clermont, Florida. From 1957 to 1980, Tower Chemical Company operated a manufacturing facility on site. The facility’s waste disposal practices left contamination on site.
Although groundwater at the site is contaminated, site contamination does not currently threaten people living and working near the site. In previous actions, EPA has removed contaminated soil and sediments, monitored and sampled contaminated groundwater, and conducted Five-Year Reviews. Due to these actions, the Tower Chemical Company site was able to go back into commercial reuse. The new owner of the property uses it as a storage facility for recreational vehicles, boats, trailers and other vehicles. EPA also had water lines connected to eight residences next to the site to the public water supply. EPA and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) continue to protect people and the environment from site contamination with monitoring and institutional controls.
Background
EPA placed the site on the Superfund program’s National Priorities List (NPL) of contaminated sites in 1983 because of contaminated soil, sediment, surface water and groundwater resulting from the facility’s waste and wastewater disposal practices.
In 1983 EPA and FDEP completed an emergency short-term cleanup to stop an immediate threat to people and the environment. EPA removed and treated about one million gallons of contaminated water from the wastewater pond. EPA dug up and disposed of 3,800 cubic yards of contaminated soil and sediment and 72 drums of other hazardous waste from the pond and burn and burial pit area. Over the next several years, EPA took multiple other actions on site and at residences with impacted wells. The site’s long-term remedy for OU-1, included treating contaminated soil and installing a groundwater pump-and treat system. However, the pump-and-treat system was determined not be effective and was not implemented. A second short-term cleanup addressed contaminated storage tanks, concrete pads and underlying contaminated soils.
In 2003, EPA installed filters on six nearby residential wells. In 2010, EPA connected eight residences to the public water system. In 2011 EPA dug up contaminated soil in the site’s affected wetland areas, placed clean fill in these areas and replanted vegetation. EPA dug up and disposed of 45,000 additional cubic yards of contaminated soil and sediment. EPA also removed deeper contaminated soil and debris. The 2013 Five-Year Review concluded the site’s remedy remained protective of human health and the environment in the short term while the groundwater remedy is completed. In 2018, the remedy was determined to be expected to be protective of human health and the environment upon completion. In the interim, remedial activities completed to date have adequately addressed all current exposure pathways that could result in unacceptable risks, as contaminated surface soils and selected subsurface soils have been removed to 12 feet and all the affected residences have been connected to the public water supply.
EPA has completed several treatability and pilot studies over the past years as it continued to evaluate the best approach for site groundwater cleanup. EPA completed an interim action ROD amendment for OU-3 in the Fall of 2019 that included in-situ solidification/stabilization (ISS) of contaminated soil down to a depth of 70 feet. A Remedial Design was finalized based on the ISS remedy selected in the ROD. BIL funding provided in 2022 is allowing the remediation of the contaminated groundwater to work towards restoring the aquifer for future generations use as drinking water. In order to prepare the site for the ISS, EPA has demolished a remaining building foundation and canopy. The canopy was recycled for the steel and the foundation and underlying soils were disposed of at an offsite landfill.
At this site, activity and use limitations that EPA calls institutional controls are also in place as part of the protective measures.
Press/Media: please email region4press@epa.gov to confirm your participation.
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The Tower Chemical Site was selected to receive funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law to allow for a cleanup suitable for reuse and redevelopment once the Superfund cleanup is complete.
WHO: EPA
WHAT: Press Event
WHEN: Thursday, October 12, 2023, 9a.m. to 10a.m. ET
WHERE: 14151 County Road. 455 (Montverde Road) Clermont, Fla. 34711
BIL Funding is allowing EPA to address the contaminated groundwater under the Tower Chemical Company Site by solidifying and stabilizing the subsurface down to 70 feet to lock the contamination in place and restore the aquifer to beneficial use as drinking water. The 16-acre Tower Chemical Company Superfund site is located about 5-miles east of Clermont, Florida. From 1957 to 1980, Tower Chemical Company operated a manufacturing facility on site. The facility’s waste disposal practices left contamination on site.
Although groundwater at the site is contaminated, site contamination does not currently threaten people living and working near the site. In previous actions, EPA has removed contaminated soil and sediments, monitored and sampled contaminated groundwater, and conducted Five-Year Reviews. Due to these actions, the Tower Chemical Company site was able to go back into commercial reuse. The new owner of the property uses it as a storage facility for recreational vehicles, boats, trailers and other vehicles. EPA also had water lines connected to eight residences next to the site to the public water supply. EPA and the Florida Department of Environmental Protection (FDEP) continue to protect people and the environment from site contamination with monitoring and institutional controls.
Background
EPA placed the site on the Superfund program’s National Priorities List (NPL) of contaminated sites in 1983 because of contaminated soil, sediment, surface water and groundwater resulting from the facility’s waste and wastewater disposal practices.
In 1983 EPA and FDEP completed an emergency short-term cleanup to stop an immediate threat to people and the environment. EPA removed and treated about one million gallons of contaminated water from the wastewater pond. EPA dug up and disposed of 3,800 cubic yards of contaminated soil and sediment and 72 drums of other hazardous waste from the pond and burn and burial pit area. Over the next several years, EPA took multiple other actions on site and at residences with impacted wells. The site’s long-term remedy for OU-1, included treating contaminated soil and installing a groundwater pump-and treat system. However, the pump-and-treat system was determined not be effective and was not implemented. A second short-term cleanup addressed contaminated storage tanks, concrete pads and underlying contaminated soils.
In 2003, EPA installed filters on six nearby residential wells. In 2010, EPA connected eight residences to the public water system. In 2011 EPA dug up contaminated soil in the site’s affected wetland areas, placed clean fill in these areas and replanted vegetation. EPA dug up and disposed of 45,000 additional cubic yards of contaminated soil and sediment. EPA also removed deeper contaminated soil and debris. The 2013 Five-Year Review concluded the site’s remedy remained protective of human health and the environment in the short term while the groundwater remedy is completed. In 2018, the remedy was determined to be expected to be protective of human health and the environment upon completion. In the interim, remedial activities completed to date have adequately addressed all current exposure pathways that could result in unacceptable risks, as contaminated surface soils and selected subsurface soils have been removed to 12 feet and all the affected residences have been connected to the public water supply.
EPA has completed several treatability and pilot studies over the past years as it continued to evaluate the best approach for site groundwater cleanup. EPA completed an interim action ROD amendment for OU-3 in the Fall of 2019 that included in-situ solidification/stabilization (ISS) of contaminated soil down to a depth of 70 feet. A Remedial Design was finalized based on the ISS remedy selected in the ROD. BIL funding provided in 2022 is allowing the remediation of the contaminated groundwater to work towards restoring the aquifer for future generations use as drinking water. In order to prepare the site for the ISS, EPA has demolished a remaining building foundation and canopy. The canopy was recycled for the steel and the foundation and underlying soils were disposed of at an offsite landfill.
At this site, activity and use limitations that EPA calls institutional controls are also in place as part of the protective measures.
Press/Media: please email region4press@epa.gov to confirm your participation.
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EPA Fines Safety-Kleen Systems Inc. for Alleged Hazardous Waste Violations in Iowa, Kansas, and Nebraska
LENEXA, KAN. (OCT. 11, 2023) – Safety-Kleen Systems Inc. will pay a $95,781 civil penalty to resolve alleged violations of the federal Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, which is the federal law that requires safe handling of hazardous wastes.
“Mismanagement of hazardous waste threatens human health and the environment,” said David Cozad, director of EPA Region 7’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “EPA is committed to protecting communities from harmful chemical waste releases and leveling the playing field for companies that comply with the law.”
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Safety-Kleen is a nationwide provider of environmental services and operates permitted hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities in multiple states.
EPA conducted inspections of Safety-Kleen facilities in 2022 in Des Moines, Iowa, Grand Island, Nebraska, and Wichita, Kansas, and alleges that the company failed to comply with terms of hazardous waste permits at these locations, including:
Failure to adequately manage hazardous waste containers, including labeling of hazardous waste, conducting inspections, and separating incompatible wastes.
Failure to properly manage used oil.
Failure to maintain adequate records of hazardous waste.
Upon notification to Safety-Kleen of the alleged violations, the company took immediate steps to return to compliance.
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Learn more about EPA Region 7
View all Region 7 news releases
Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter: @EPARegion7
“Mismanagement of hazardous waste threatens human health and the environment,” said David Cozad, director of EPA Region 7’s Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division. “EPA is committed to protecting communities from harmful chemical waste releases and leveling the playing field for companies that comply with the law.”
According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Safety-Kleen is a nationwide provider of environmental services and operates permitted hazardous waste treatment, storage, and disposal facilities in multiple states.
EPA conducted inspections of Safety-Kleen facilities in 2022 in Des Moines, Iowa, Grand Island, Nebraska, and Wichita, Kansas, and alleges that the company failed to comply with terms of hazardous waste permits at these locations, including:
Failure to adequately manage hazardous waste containers, including labeling of hazardous waste, conducting inspections, and separating incompatible wastes.
Failure to properly manage used oil.
Failure to maintain adequate records of hazardous waste.
Upon notification to Safety-Kleen of the alleged violations, the company took immediate steps to return to compliance.
# # #
Learn more about EPA Region 7
View all Region 7 news releases
Connect with EPA Region 7 on Facebook
Follow us on Twitter: @EPARegion7
Formerly Contaminated Middlesex Sampling Plant Site Recognized Nationally as Outstanding Example of Site Reuse
NEW YORK - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia was joined by Middlesex Borough Mayor John Madden and other essential partners as she presented the EPA’s National Federal Facility Excellence in Site Reuse Award for work at the Middlesex Sampling Plant Superfund Site. The award recognizes the outstanding collaboration among federal agencies, states, local partners, and developers in restoring and reusing contaminated land at sites for which the federal government is the responsible party, as is the case with this former uranium handling facility.
“The Middlesex Sampling Plant is a remarkable example of how contaminated sites can be transformed from environmental liabilities into community assets,” said Region 2 Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “This award celebrates the hard work and dedication of all the partners involved in cleaning up and redeveloping this site for the benefit of the people of Middlesex and beyond. The site, which was once a source of environmental and health risks, is now a model of sustainable redevelopment and community revitalization.”
“There is tremendous strength in federal agency partnerships, and today we celebrate the results of our collective efforts,” said Ms. Lara E. Beasley, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Environmental Division chief. “As a result of the significant work performed by our partners at the Department of Energy’s Office of Legacy Management, with support from our USACE New York and Kansas City districts, this collaborative effort will provide direct benefits to the borough of Middlesex. It’s an honor and a privilege to stand beside everyone today to recognize this valuable work and we will continue to advance our efforts under the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program to protect the health and well-being of communities and the environment.”
“Overseeing the disposition of unneeded federal property is an integral part of GSA’s mission,” Francis Thomas, GSA Regional Administrator, said. “GSA— working together with partner federal agencies, state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, business groups, and citizens— leaves a lasting positive impact on communities by making valuable government assets available for numerous public purposes.”
“My DEP colleagues and I congratulate Middlesex Borough on this award, which recognizes the municipality’s stellar partnership with the EPA in returning land that had been contaminated by atomic weapons research into productive use for the town,” said Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. “By collaborating on projects such as this, state, local and federal partners are making our neighborhoods whole again. We thank Administrator Garcia and the EPA for this continued commitment to New Jersey’s communities.”
Middlesex Borough Mayor John Madden, Assistant Commissioner David Haymes of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and other essential federal, local and private partners attended the event.
The Middlesex Sampling Plant Superfund Site was once a uranium sampling and handling facility for the nation’s atomic weapons program. From 1943 to 1967, the Manhattan Engineer District, a government organization that helped develop the first atomic bomb, used the site to sample, store, test, and transfer ores containing uranium, thorium, and beryllium. The site was designated for federal cleanup under the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program in 1980 and listed on the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL) in 1999. After decades of remediation, the site is ready to be transferred to the borough of Middlesex to construct a public works facility and road that will serve the local community.
Background
EPA has ongoing cleanup at 175 federal facility National Priorities List (NPL) sites, some of the largest and most complex sites within the national Superfund program. The Agency also promotes innovative, cost-effective cleanups at other federal facilities by working with federal agencies, tribes, state and local governments, and community representatives to ensure that facilities meet environmental standards and undergo redevelopment for public and private-sector reuse. EPA created the National Federal Facility Excellence in Site Reuse Award to recognize outstanding collaborative outcomes at federal facility sites.
EPA presents this award to project teams, including federal agency project managers; developers; reuse authorities; or state, tribal and local partners. The awardees must have demonstrated excellence in working cooperatively with EPA to ensure the reuse of a Federal Facility site complements the cleanup actions taken. Award winners have demonstrated excellence in:
Working cooperatively and forming partnerships
Complementing redevelopment design with the selected remedy
Innovating beneficial use outcomes
Considering the impacts on and inputs from the local community
Creating jobs, fostering economic development or recreational opportunities, or maintaining mission support
Learn more about all the 2023 award winners by visiting here.
Learn more information about cleanups at federal facilities here.
Learn more about the Middlesex Sampling Plant Superfund site here.
Follow EPA Region 2 on X and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
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“The Middlesex Sampling Plant is a remarkable example of how contaminated sites can be transformed from environmental liabilities into community assets,” said Region 2 Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. “This award celebrates the hard work and dedication of all the partners involved in cleaning up and redeveloping this site for the benefit of the people of Middlesex and beyond. The site, which was once a source of environmental and health risks, is now a model of sustainable redevelopment and community revitalization.”
“There is tremendous strength in federal agency partnerships, and today we celebrate the results of our collective efforts,” said Ms. Lara E. Beasley, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Environmental Division chief. “As a result of the significant work performed by our partners at the Department of Energy’s Office of Legacy Management, with support from our USACE New York and Kansas City districts, this collaborative effort will provide direct benefits to the borough of Middlesex. It’s an honor and a privilege to stand beside everyone today to recognize this valuable work and we will continue to advance our efforts under the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program to protect the health and well-being of communities and the environment.”
“Overseeing the disposition of unneeded federal property is an integral part of GSA’s mission,” Francis Thomas, GSA Regional Administrator, said. “GSA— working together with partner federal agencies, state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, business groups, and citizens— leaves a lasting positive impact on communities by making valuable government assets available for numerous public purposes.”
“My DEP colleagues and I congratulate Middlesex Borough on this award, which recognizes the municipality’s stellar partnership with the EPA in returning land that had been contaminated by atomic weapons research into productive use for the town,” said Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn M. LaTourette. “By collaborating on projects such as this, state, local and federal partners are making our neighborhoods whole again. We thank Administrator Garcia and the EPA for this continued commitment to New Jersey’s communities.”
Middlesex Borough Mayor John Madden, Assistant Commissioner David Haymes of the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection and other essential federal, local and private partners attended the event.
The Middlesex Sampling Plant Superfund Site was once a uranium sampling and handling facility for the nation’s atomic weapons program. From 1943 to 1967, the Manhattan Engineer District, a government organization that helped develop the first atomic bomb, used the site to sample, store, test, and transfer ores containing uranium, thorium, and beryllium. The site was designated for federal cleanup under the Formerly Utilized Sites Remedial Action Program in 1980 and listed on the Superfund National Priorities List (NPL) in 1999. After decades of remediation, the site is ready to be transferred to the borough of Middlesex to construct a public works facility and road that will serve the local community.
Background
EPA has ongoing cleanup at 175 federal facility National Priorities List (NPL) sites, some of the largest and most complex sites within the national Superfund program. The Agency also promotes innovative, cost-effective cleanups at other federal facilities by working with federal agencies, tribes, state and local governments, and community representatives to ensure that facilities meet environmental standards and undergo redevelopment for public and private-sector reuse. EPA created the National Federal Facility Excellence in Site Reuse Award to recognize outstanding collaborative outcomes at federal facility sites.
EPA presents this award to project teams, including federal agency project managers; developers; reuse authorities; or state, tribal and local partners. The awardees must have demonstrated excellence in working cooperatively with EPA to ensure the reuse of a Federal Facility site complements the cleanup actions taken. Award winners have demonstrated excellence in:
Working cooperatively and forming partnerships
Complementing redevelopment design with the selected remedy
Innovating beneficial use outcomes
Considering the impacts on and inputs from the local community
Creating jobs, fostering economic development or recreational opportunities, or maintaining mission support
Learn more about all the 2023 award winners by visiting here.
Learn more information about cleanups at federal facilities here.
Learn more about the Middlesex Sampling Plant Superfund site here.
Follow EPA Region 2 on X and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
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EPA Region 6 Honors WaterSense Partners for Helping Consumers Conserve Water
DALLAS, TEXAS (October 11, 2023) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency awarded 47 WaterSense partners for their support of WaterSense and water efficiency at the WaterSmart Innovations conference in Las Vegas, Nevada. This year’s award winners made innovative water-efficient products, built homes using 30% less water than typical new construction, made WaterSense labeled products accessible to consumers, and implemented programs to promote water-saving behaviors and fixtures.
"This year's WaterSense Award Winners are helping American families save money on their water bills while conserving our precious water resources," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. "As climate stress continues to affect communities across the country, prioritizing water efficiency in partnership with manufacturers, homebuilders and families is essential to protecting our water for generations to come."
People look for the WaterSense label on plumbing fixtures, homes, and irrigation products and programs, because it means lower water and energy costs and helps save water. People who buy WaterSense products have saved more than 7.5 trillion gallons of water, 880 billion kilowatt-hours of energy, and $171 billion in water and energy bills since the program started in 2006.
Award winners include utilities, manufacturers, builders, a retailer, and other organizations that promote, produce, and sell WaterSense labeled products; build WaterSense labeled homes; and operate WaterSense labeled certification programs.
2023 Sustained Excellence Award Winners
The Sustained Excellence Awards are the highest level of achievement for WaterSense. This year, WaterSense added three new WaterSense partners to this category.
City of Plano (Texas)
Kohler Co.
KB Home
2023 Partner of the Year Awards
Partner of the Year Awards are given to WaterSense partners who have achieved success in all the judging categories—strategic collaboration, education and outreach, and producing or promoting WaterSense labeled products and programs.
Harris-Galveston (Texas) Subsidence District
Houston Public Works
Tarrant (Texas) Regional Water District
Niagara Conservation
2023 Excellence Award Winners
Excellence Awards recognize WaterSense partners who have excelled in the following areas:
Excellence in Engagement and Outreach: The Toro Company
Background
WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by the EPA, is both a label for water-efficient products and a resource for helping consumers and businesses save water. WaterSense seeks to protect the future of the nation’s water supply by offering Americans a simple way to use less water with water-efficient products, homes, and services. WaterSense labeled products are independently certified to use 20% less water and perform as well or better than standard models. The program was launched in 2006, and there are more than 42,000 labeled toilets, faucets/faucet accessories, showerheads, irrigation controllers, and spray sprinkler bodies.
Learn more about the 2023 WaterSense Award winners.
Connect with the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 on Facebook, Twitter, or visit our homepage.
"This year's WaterSense Award Winners are helping American families save money on their water bills while conserving our precious water resources," said EPA Assistant Administrator for Water Radhika Fox. "As climate stress continues to affect communities across the country, prioritizing water efficiency in partnership with manufacturers, homebuilders and families is essential to protecting our water for generations to come."
People look for the WaterSense label on plumbing fixtures, homes, and irrigation products and programs, because it means lower water and energy costs and helps save water. People who buy WaterSense products have saved more than 7.5 trillion gallons of water, 880 billion kilowatt-hours of energy, and $171 billion in water and energy bills since the program started in 2006.
Award winners include utilities, manufacturers, builders, a retailer, and other organizations that promote, produce, and sell WaterSense labeled products; build WaterSense labeled homes; and operate WaterSense labeled certification programs.
2023 Sustained Excellence Award Winners
The Sustained Excellence Awards are the highest level of achievement for WaterSense. This year, WaterSense added three new WaterSense partners to this category.
City of Plano (Texas)
Kohler Co.
KB Home
2023 Partner of the Year Awards
Partner of the Year Awards are given to WaterSense partners who have achieved success in all the judging categories—strategic collaboration, education and outreach, and producing or promoting WaterSense labeled products and programs.
Harris-Galveston (Texas) Subsidence District
Houston Public Works
Tarrant (Texas) Regional Water District
Niagara Conservation
2023 Excellence Award Winners
Excellence Awards recognize WaterSense partners who have excelled in the following areas:
Excellence in Engagement and Outreach: The Toro Company
Background
WaterSense, a partnership program sponsored by the EPA, is both a label for water-efficient products and a resource for helping consumers and businesses save water. WaterSense seeks to protect the future of the nation’s water supply by offering Americans a simple way to use less water with water-efficient products, homes, and services. WaterSense labeled products are independently certified to use 20% less water and perform as well or better than standard models. The program was launched in 2006, and there are more than 42,000 labeled toilets, faucets/faucet accessories, showerheads, irrigation controllers, and spray sprinkler bodies.
Learn more about the 2023 WaterSense Award winners.
Connect with the Environmental Protection Agency Region 6 on Facebook, Twitter, or visit our homepage.
EPA penalizes Idaho company for spraying pesticide near burial service
SEATTLE (Oct. 11, 2023) -- The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced today that Barnett Air LLC, of Nezperce, Idaho, has paid a $2,221 penalty for failing to follow pesticide label instructions when spraying near an outdoor funeral. The penalty is the maximum for this type of violation of the Federal Insecticide Fungicide and Rodenticide Act.
During a May 2022 burial service at Jonah Hayes Cemetery, attendees reported being contacted by pesticide being applied by the company to an adjacent wheat field.
"It’s the applicator’s responsibility to ensure pesticides are used according to the label directions,” said EPA Region 10 Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Director Ed Kowalski. “When they don’t, EPA is prepared to take swift action and impose the maximum penalty allowed.”
FIFRA requires applicators to strictly follow the instructions on pesticide labels. In this case, label instructions for the pesticide being applied to the wheat field – Nexicor Xemium Brand Fungicide (EPA Reg. No. 7969-380 – include:
“Do not apply this product in a way that will contact workers or other persons”
“Do not apply under circumstances of possible drift to unprotected persons”
“Avoiding spray drift at the application site is the responsibility of the applicator”
Further details are available in the Consent Agreement and Final Order.
During a May 2022 burial service at Jonah Hayes Cemetery, attendees reported being contacted by pesticide being applied by the company to an adjacent wheat field.
"It’s the applicator’s responsibility to ensure pesticides are used according to the label directions,” said EPA Region 10 Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Director Ed Kowalski. “When they don’t, EPA is prepared to take swift action and impose the maximum penalty allowed.”
FIFRA requires applicators to strictly follow the instructions on pesticide labels. In this case, label instructions for the pesticide being applied to the wheat field – Nexicor Xemium Brand Fungicide (EPA Reg. No. 7969-380 – include:
“Do not apply this product in a way that will contact workers or other persons”
“Do not apply under circumstances of possible drift to unprotected persons”
“Avoiding spray drift at the application site is the responsibility of the applicator”
Further details are available in the Consent Agreement and Final Order.
EPA Settlement with Slack Chemical Company in New York Resolves Violations of Toxic Chemical Reporting Requirements
EPA Settlement with Slack Chemical Company in New York Resolves Violations of Toxic Chemical Reporting Requirements
NEW YORK - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a settlement with Slack Chemical Company Inc. to resolve alleged violations of the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) at the company’s facilities in Carthage and Saratoga Springs, New York. The settlement includes a $231,300 civil penalty.
"EPA is working to ensure that regulated facilities comply with the “Right to Know” requirements to ensure companies properly report their storage, use, and releases of certain chemicals to federal, state, tribal, territorial and local governments,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. "These reporting requirements are important because they are used to help communities prepare for and protect against potential risks posed by potentially dangerous chemicals.”
Slack Chemical Company, Inc. is a supplier of bulk chemicals. The company stores, repackages, and distributes bulk chemicals to municipalities and industry across the Northeast from three New York facilities using a substantial delivery fleet of tractor trailers.
According to EPA, the company failed to properly submit forms required by EPA and New York State with information about how much ammonia, methanol, nitric acid, and toluene were managed at and released from the company’s facilities during 2019 and 2021.
Under the terms of the consent agreement and final order with EPA, Slack has voluntarily instituted a corporate compliance plan to prevent recurrence of EPCRA reporting violations. For example, to improve compliance, the company will add a written procedure detailing the steps required to identify Toxic Release Inventory chemicals, calculating reportable quantities and subsequent submittal.
EPCRA increases the public's knowledge and access to information about chemicals at certain regulated facilities which must report on the identity of their chemicals, quantities of chemical releases into the environment, and waste management activities. States and communities, working with facilities, can use the information to improve chemical safety and protect public health and the environment.
For more information about EPA’s enforcement program, visit: https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/basic-information-enforcement
For more information about EPCRA, visit: https://www.epa.gov/epcra
Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter now known as X and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
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NEW YORK - Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency announced a settlement with Slack Chemical Company Inc. to resolve alleged violations of the Emergency Planning and Community Right to Know Act (EPCRA) at the company’s facilities in Carthage and Saratoga Springs, New York. The settlement includes a $231,300 civil penalty.
"EPA is working to ensure that regulated facilities comply with the “Right to Know” requirements to ensure companies properly report their storage, use, and releases of certain chemicals to federal, state, tribal, territorial and local governments,” said EPA Regional Administrator Lisa F. Garcia. "These reporting requirements are important because they are used to help communities prepare for and protect against potential risks posed by potentially dangerous chemicals.”
Slack Chemical Company, Inc. is a supplier of bulk chemicals. The company stores, repackages, and distributes bulk chemicals to municipalities and industry across the Northeast from three New York facilities using a substantial delivery fleet of tractor trailers.
According to EPA, the company failed to properly submit forms required by EPA and New York State with information about how much ammonia, methanol, nitric acid, and toluene were managed at and released from the company’s facilities during 2019 and 2021.
Under the terms of the consent agreement and final order with EPA, Slack has voluntarily instituted a corporate compliance plan to prevent recurrence of EPCRA reporting violations. For example, to improve compliance, the company will add a written procedure detailing the steps required to identify Toxic Release Inventory chemicals, calculating reportable quantities and subsequent submittal.
EPCRA increases the public's knowledge and access to information about chemicals at certain regulated facilities which must report on the identity of their chemicals, quantities of chemical releases into the environment, and waste management activities. States and communities, working with facilities, can use the information to improve chemical safety and protect public health and the environment.
For more information about EPA’s enforcement program, visit: https://www.epa.gov/enforcement/basic-information-enforcement
For more information about EPCRA, visit: https://www.epa.gov/epcra
Follow EPA Region 2 on Twitter now known as X and visit our Facebook page. For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
For more information about EPA Region 2, visit our website.
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