Columbus Steel Castings

Columbus, OH: (Aug-23-07) The Ohio Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) brought charges against Columbus Steel Castings, alleging that the South Side foundry caused air pollution and has a water-pollution problem that dates back 18 years. Columbus Steel has been in the news since 2005, when neighbors filed complaints with the Ohio EPA over foul odors from the plant. But Ohio EPA officials said the water recycling issue has gone unresolved since 1989, when the plant was run by another, now-bankrupt company. Columbus Steel bought and reopened the plant in 2003, more than a year after previous owner Buckeye Steel Castings declared bankruptcy.

EPA officials state that Buckeye Steel failed to meet a federal requirement that it recycle at least 98% of the water it uses to cool, or quench the metal. The process can leave the water contaminated with lead, copper and zinc according to an environmental specialist with the Ohio EPA. The allegations included one that said that the plant gets rid of the water through a pipe that leads to Kian Run, a Scioto River tributary. Excess metals are known to be harmful to fish and other aquatic wildlife. In a settlement reached, Columbus Steel Castings agreed to pay a $75,000 fine. [COLUMBUS DISPATCH: FOUNDRY POLLUTION]

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Published on Aug-25-07