Oklahoma City, OK – M.P. Ready Mix, Inc. was slapped with a $64,000 fine and court costs after pleading guilty to multiple environmental violations uncovered during a routine investigation, according to Oklahoma Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) records. The case, originating in January 2001, revealed a pattern of illegal waste disposal and unpermitted discharges from the company’s Oklahoma City concrete batch plant.
The initial discovery came when EPA and Oklahoma DEQ investigators were following up on an unrelated matter and noticed a consistent discharge of cement slurry flowing from a storm drain outfall into the Colorado River. Investigators quickly traced the source to M.P. Ready Mix, where they found the plant was deliberately directing wastewater – generated from hosing down ready-mix trucks after loading – into the storm sewer system. Critically, the facility lacked any settling ponds or containment measures to mitigate the environmental impact of this discharge.
Investigators determined that M.P. Ready Mix had secured the necessary permits for other facilities, but had failed to obtain any permits for the Oklahoma City location. This meant the plant was operating in violation of state regulations governing industrial wastewater and stormwater discharges. The intentional bypass of wastewater treatment systems demonstrated a clear disregard for environmental protection, sources close to the investigation stated.
Illegal Hazardous Waste Disposal
The scope of the violations extended beyond wastewater. During the investigation, an employee was observed illegally disposing of a drum of solvent-contaminated wastewater originating from the facility’s on-site repair garage paint shop. The employee reportedly poured the hazardous waste directly into a sinkhole, further compounding the environmental damage. This act constituted a separate and serious offense under Oklahoma law.
Legal Ramifications and Penalties
On January 5, 2001, the State of Oklahoma formally charged M.P. Ready Mix, Inc. with four counts of violating Oklahoma Statutes 21 and 27A. The specific charges included unlawful disposal of hazardous waste, discharge of a pollutant into state waters, operation of an industrial wastewater system without a permit, and discharge of stormwater from an industrial facility without a permit. The company ultimately entered a guilty plea to all four counts.
The sentencing included a state fine totaling $64,000, in addition to unspecified court costs. While the financial penalties represent a measure of accountability, environmental advocates argue that the relatively low fine may not be a sufficient deterrent for similar violations in the future. The case highlights the ongoing need for rigorous enforcement of environmental regulations to protect Oklahoma’s waterways and public health.
Key Facts
- Defendant: M.P. Ready Mix, Inc.
- Location: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
- Year of Offense: 2001, sentencing in 2002
- Violated Statutes: Oklahoma Statutes 21 and 27A (unlawful hazardous waste disposal, illegal discharge, operating without permits)
- Illegal Discharge: Cement slurry and solvent-contaminated wastewater
- Penalty: $64,000 fine plus court costs
- Discovery Method: Routine investigation of storm drain outfall
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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