EPA orders Minden company to comply with federal wastewater laws

SAN FRANCISCO - The U.S Environmental Protection Agency has ordered

Patmont Motor Werks to comply with federal Clean Water Act requirements

for wastewater the company discharges to the Douglas County sewer system

and, ultimately, the municipal wastewater treatment plant.

Patmont Motor Werks operates a go-cart and scooter production facility on

Meridian Boulevard in Minden. The facility discharges process-related

wastewater into the Douglas County sewer system. Patmont Motor Werks

began operation at this facility four years ago.

"Patmont Motor Werks and other industries are responsible for complying with

federal water pollution control standards, to protect the local sewer system,

the wastewater treatment plant, and those who work in these areas," said

Alexis Strauss, director of the Water Division in the EPA's Pacific Southwest

region. "EPA will continue to oversee these efforts and ensure facilities are in

full compliance."

In Nov. 2007, the Nevada Division of Environmental Protection, Douglas

County and EPA officials conducted a joint inspection of the Patmont Motor

Werks facility. EPA inspectors determined the facility was not complying with

Clean Water Act requirements for self-monitoring and reporting and was not

properly maintaining its wastewater treatment operations. Nevada is

authorized to implement most aspects of the federal Clean Water Act

programs, however, the implementation and enforcement of the pretreatment

program falls under jurisdiction of the EPA.

The EPA's order requires the facility to self-monitor, report to EPA, and

maintain its treatment system. By the end of April 2008, the facility needs to

start sampling and be in compliance with federal pollutant limits. The facility

must continue the monitoring required by the order until May 28, 2009.