By Joyce Kryszak
Tonawanda, NY – The United States Environmental Protection Agency announced Thursday it has ordered Tonawanda Coke to comply with the Clean Water Act after finding elevated levels of cyanide in Tonawanda's sanitary sewer system.
Last month a federal grand jury in Buffalo returned an indictment against Tonawanda Coke and its environmental control manager Mark Kamholz. They were charged with 15 counts of violating the Clean Air Act.
Five of the counts relate to the release of coke oven gas containing benzene into the air. Another four counts are for improper storage and disposal of toxic waste. Another four counts are for improper storage and disposal of toxic waste.
The plant and manager are also charged with obstruction of justice. The remaining ten Clean Air Act counts relate to operating two coke-quenching towers without a pollution control device.
The excessive cyanide levels were found as a result of more extensive testing ordered by the EPA in January.
Cyanide is a toxic chemical compound, and excessive amounts may adversely impact human health, fish and wildlife. The EPA also mandated the company to install pollution controls, improve monitoring and provide additional information about the operations at the facility.
"EPA continues to be a great ally to the community," said Erin Heaney, the Coalition's Executive Director. "They've identified yet another toxic threat from Tonawanda Coke and taken swift action to protect human health and the environment.
She added, "Tonawanda Coke must now act quickly to make the changes necessary to protect residents. And you can be sure the community will be watching to ensure that happens."
Heaney said the EPA has not yet released a timeline of when Tonawanda Creek is expected to complete the mabndated changes, or the data indicating the exact levels of cyanide found in the water.