Recently, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and Indiana-American Water Company, Inc. (IAWC) entered into a Consent Agreement and Final Order (CAFO) to address an alleged violation of the Clean Air Act regulations. This comes in compliance with Section 112(r)(7) of the Clean Air Act, according to the Docket No. CAA-05-2023-007.
The CAFO highlights the ongoing obligations of IAWC, which is responsible for the treatment and chlorination of water at the Ogden Dunes Water Treatment Plant it operates in Portage, Indiana. Let’s delve deeper into the context and potential implications of this development.
The Clean Air Act, enacted to control air pollution on a national level, requires entities like IAWC to adhere to strict standards intended to limit the emission of pollutants known to be detrimental to air quality and human health. Section 112(r)(7) of the act lays out a general duty clause requiring the operators of certain facilities to identify hazards which could lead to accidental releases, design and maintain safe facilities and take preventative measures.
Under the terms of the CAFO, IAWC is believed to have violated these protocols by failing to properly ensure safe operations at the Ogden Dunes Water Treatment Plant. This issue stems from the company’s handling and use of chlorine, a chemical compound extensively used in the treatment and disinfection of public water supplies but potentially harmful in its elemental form.
Addressing these alleged violations is crucial not just for immediate environmental health, but for the broader effort to combat pollution and safeguard public health. It is expected to set compliance standards for other companies in similar industries, defining the regulations they need to adhere by and the consequences of non-compliant behavior.
For EPA and similar enforcement bodies worldwide, this event underscores the ongoing challenge of implementing and enforcing environmental regulations. As for IAWC, this agreement presents an opportunity to rectify alleged operational oversights, while contributing towards a more sustainable future.