CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – Orgain Ready Mix Concrete Co. Inc. has been issued a notice of violation by state regulators over concrete spilling into the Red River.
The notice came from the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation after an investigation found solids-laden water and “cementitious staining” in the Red River behind the company’s plant at 240 Kraft St., according to state records obtained by Clarksville Now.
After receiving a complaint on July 25, TDEC’s Division of Water Resources (DWR) began an investigation regarding illicit dumping along Kraft Street. Investigators found an “apparent wetland” behind the Salvation Army building on the street, as well as evidence of unpermitted and solid-laden discharges. A notice of violation was issued on Aug. 8.
Investigators “observed a steadily flowing discharge of solids-laden water emitting from the permitted outfall and entering the Red River.” The notice said the discharge was causing a visible color difference in the river and depositing solids into it.
Investigators also noted cement staining along the Red River bank, which the notice describes as a common symptom of overloaded solids within the type of wastewater treatment the facility uses.
After being informed of the issue by investigators, Orgain dredged their wastewater treatment basins and informed the DWR of the site’s plan to implement weekly maintenance of their treatment structures, the records said.
Solid-laden wastewater entering state water, illicit discharges, and failing to maintain treatment structures are violations of the Tennessee Water Quality Control Act. According to a TDEC representative, Orgain has until Sept. 7 to provide a corrective plan as to how the discharges will be stopped. Orgain must also provide plans for eliminating the discharge within 90 days of receiving the notice of violation.
The department maintains permit compliance through a variety of ways — such as onsite inspections and data reports — but civil or criminal liability is possible. “Violations of the Tennessee Water Quality Control Act can result in enforcement action including civil or criminal penalties. TDEC determines specific enforcement measures as needed,” said the TDEC representative.
When reached by Clarksville Now, a representative from Orgain Ready Mix Concrete declined to comment.
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Violation history at Orgain
This isn’t the first violation at the Orgain Kraft Street site. State records show notices of violation in 2005, 2017 and 2019.
According to the May 1, 2019, notice, Orgain was using an unpermitted washout site on property purchased by the company. The notice said material may have ended up on sites not owned by the company.
In a letter dated May 28, 2019, Orgain Ready Mix’s Vice President John Manning responded to the notice, saying the company was in negotiation with surveyors to mark the boundaries of the property and remove any concrete found to be on others’ property.
However, according to this months’ notice, Orgain hasn’t updated TDEC on the parcels since. While the notice says the site appears to be out of use, investigators requested that Orgain update the department about land not owned by the company that may still have concrete washout.
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