Kettering, OH – Circuit Center, Inc. (CCI), a Montgomery County manufacturer of printed circuit boards, was sentenced in July 1997 after pleading guilty to negligent violations of the Clean Water Act. The company’s manufacturing process, akin to electroplating, routinely generates substantial volumes of contaminated wastewater – up to 50,000 gallons daily – discharged into the local sewer system.
While CCI possessed a permit allowing discharge into the Montgomery County sewer, routine monitoring conducted by the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) revealed consistent and significant exceedances of federally mandated limits for sewer discharge. The violations centered around the levels of copper and lead present in the wastewater, posing a potential threat to both the wastewater treatment facility and, ultimately, the environment.
The investigation, which culminated in criminal charges filed on April 18, 1997, demonstrated that CCI had negligently discharged pollutants in quantities exceeding permissible levels. This isn’t simply an issue of regulatory oversight; it represents a failure to properly manage industrial waste and a disregard for established environmental protections designed to safeguard public health and the integrity of local waterways. Sources close to the investigation indicate the Ohio EPA had been in communication with CCI regarding these issues prior to pursuing criminal charges.
On January 15, 1997, CCI formally entered a guilty plea in the Information filed against them. The sentencing, handed down on July 25, 1997, included a $125 special assessment fee – a payment directed towards environmental restoration programs – and a $10,000 fine. While the financial penalties represent accountability, critics argue they may be insufficient to deter similar behavior by other industrial facilities. The case highlights the ongoing challenge of balancing industrial growth with environmental responsibility.
Legal Details
CCI was found to have violated 33 U.S.C. 1317(d) of the Clean Water Act (CWA). This section of the CWA specifically addresses negligent violations of permit conditions, making it unlawful to discharge pollutants in amounts exceeding those authorized by a permit. The prosecution successfully argued that CCI’s actions demonstrated a clear disregard for the established limits and a failure to implement adequate pollution control measures.
Key Facts
- Defendant: Circuit Center, Inc. (CCI)
- Location: Kettering, Montgomery County, Ohio
- Industry: Printed Circuit Board Manufacturing
- Crime: Negligent violation of the Clean Water Act
- Pollutants: Copper and Lead
- Statute Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1317(d)
- Penalty: $125 special assessment + $10,000 fine
- Wastewater Volume: Up to 50,000 gallons per day
The GrimyTimes will continue to follow environmental enforcement cases and report on efforts to hold polluters accountable for their actions. This case serves as a reminder that environmental compliance is not merely a matter of good corporate citizenship, but a legal obligation with significant consequences.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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