Cincinnati, OH – Cincinnati Steel Treating was sentenced in January 1998 following a 1996 incident that resulted in a significant oil pollution event impacting the Little Miami River. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and brought to light by a discovery made by the Cincinnati Fire Department, revealed a pattern of negligence leading to the illegal discharge of pollutants into waterways.
On July 1, 1996, firefighters responded to reports of a substantial oil slick stretching an eight-mile stretch of the Little Miami River. The source was traced back to Whisky Creek, a tributary of the Little Miami, and ultimately to a failure by Cincinnati Steel Treating to properly maintain infrastructure at its facility. Investigators determined that in 1995, a pipe connecting to an oil-water separator trench had not been sealed, creating a direct pathway for pollutants to enter the creek.
The critical failure occurred during a period of heavy rainfall. As water levels rose, the oil within the separator trench overflowed, discharging directly into Whisky Creek and subsequently contaminating the Little Miami River. This discharge violated the Clean Water Act (CWA), specifically 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A), which prohibits the discharge of pollutants from a point source without a permit.
The company faced formal charges on September 29, 1997, with one count of violating the CWA. A plea of guilt was entered on behalf of Cincinnati Steel Treating by its president on November 4, 1997. The sentencing, handed down on January 30, 1998, included a combination of financial penalties and mandated improvements to the facility’s environmental safeguards.
Penalties and Remediation
Cincinnati Steel Treating was sentenced to 36 months of probation. In addition to a $25,000 federal fine, the company was ordered to pay $25,000 in restitution. Further, $15,000 was designated for Little Miami Inc. to purchase scientific equipment for ongoing river quality research, and another $10,000 was allocated to the Thomas More College Ohio River Biology Field Station for laboratory equipment upgrades. A significant portion of the penalty – $350,000 – was directed towards a community project aimed at improving the company’s wastewater treatment plant (WTP).
Key Facts
- Defendant: Cincinnati Steel Treating
- Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
- Date of Incident: July 1, 1996 (oil slick discovered)
- Statute Violated: Clean Water Act (33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(2)(A))
- Penalty: 36 months probation, $25,000 fine, $25,000 restitution, $350,000 community project fine for WTP improvements, $25,000 to Little Miami Inc., $10,000 to Thomas More College.
- Cause: Failure to seal a pipe connected to an oil-water separator trench, leading to oil discharge during heavy rainfall.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the importance of consistent environmental compliance and infrastructure maintenance for industrial facilities. The EPA continues to aggressively pursue enforcement actions against companies that prioritize profit over the protection of vital natural resources.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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