EPA issues order on scooter facility

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.

In November 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, according to Alexis Strauss, director of the Water Division in the EPA's Pacific Southwest region.

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.

For more information, visit www.epa.gov/region09/water/pretreatment/compliance.html