The Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection has reached an agreement with Exide Technologies that is expected to sharply reduce the amount of lead entering the state’s waterways.
Exide recycles used lead batteries at two Pennsylvania smelting operations. They are located in Laureldale and Muhlenberg Township. Currently, untreated stormwater run-off from the two sites flows into waterways in the state.
In May 2007, the department issued a total maximum daily load limiting the amount of lead that could be discharged into a local creek.
“For more than two years, Exide has explored ways to reduce the amount of contaminated stormwater runoff,” says Rachel Diamond, DEP’s South-central regional director. “We now have in place a signed agreement that calls for the majority of the stormwater to be collected and treated — actions that will improve the environment and add to the quality of life for residents in the surrounding communities.”
The consent order and agreement calls for Exide to maximize stormwater collection and treatment by building a new treatment plant with a minimum capacity of 400,000 gallons of water per day. The treated stormwater will be discharged directly to the Schuylkill River through the facility’s existing industrial waste line.
Exide also will construct an additional 800,000-gallon storage tank that will increase the company’s on-site stormwater storage capacity to more than 2 million gallons. The stormwater will be stored until it can be treated at the new plant.
“These efforts are part of Exide’s ongoing steps to lessen its impact on the environment,” Diamond adds. “Through new and improved technologies, the company has significantly improved its chronic odor problems and corrected issues with its air monitoring operations. Now, through an innovative on-site approach to handling and treating stormwater runoff, Exide is continuing its efforts to improve operations and further reduce the amount of lead introduced into the environment, which protects the environment and the health and safety of the residents in the surrounding communities.”
As part of the consent order and agreement, DEP will issue Exide a new National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit, which authorizes the discharge of industrial wastewater.