OAKLAND COUNTY, Mich. – Tribar Technologies pleaded guilty to a criminal discharge in violation of the federal Clean Water Act for releasing a cancer-causing chemical into Huron River in 2022.
Hexavalent chromium was released into the Wixom Sewage Treatment Facility from Tribar in July 2022. Contaminated water from the treatment facility was released into the Huron River system.
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Hexavalent chromium is a known carcinogen. Contact with the chemical can cause numerous health effects through ingestion, skin contact or inhalation.
What happened?
Tribar notified the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy that it had released several thousand gallons of liquid containing 5% hexavalent chromium into the sewer system.
The company said it discovered the release in 2022, but believed it could have started a few days prior to the discovery. Officials believed much of the contaminant already made its way through the treatment plant.
According to court documents, 15,000 gallons of untreated wastewater containing high concentrations of hexavalent chromium was put in a holding tank at the treatment plant in Wixom on July 23, 2022.
On July 29, 2022, the sole Tribar employee operating the plant wastewater treatment system released about 10,000 gallons of untreated wastewater from the holding tank into the wastewater treatment system. Court documents state the employee disabled numerous alarms that would have warned the employee that the wastewater was not sufficiently discharged into the Wixom sanitary sewer system.
Previous coverage: Chemical spill on Huron River sparks warnings due to contamination
What is hexavalent chromium?
It’s one of the chemical states of the element chromium. It forms chemical compounds that are colorful, according to MIOSHA.
It’s often used as pigments in dyes, paints, inks and plastics. It can also be used as an anticorrosive agent added to paints, primers and other surface coatings.
Adverse health effects include the following: Occupational asthma, eye irritation and damage, perforated eardrums, respiratory irritation, kidney damage, liver damage, pulmonary congestion and edema, upper abdominal pain, nose irritation and damage, respiratory cancer, skin irritation, and erosion and discoloration of the teeth.
No-contact recommendation
Officials issued a no-contact order on Aug. 2, 2022, after the chemical was released into the Wixom Sewage Treatment Facility from Tribar Manufacturing in Wixom the weekend of July 29, 2022. The sewer feeds the Wixom wastewater treatment plant, which discharges to the Huron River system.
“MDHHS is lifting its no-contact recommendation for the Huron River based on testing results we have received,” said Elizabeth Hertel, MDHHS director, in 2022. “The collaboration between local and state officials illustrates the strong commitment our state has to the health and safety of Michigan families.”
What did the data show?
According to health officials, data showed that chromium levels in the river were below levels of concern for effects on human health.
- The amount of hexavalent chromium released into the Huron River was much less than originally thought.
- The release was predominantly trivalent chromium, not hexavalent chromium. Trivalent chromium is a micronutrient that is part of humans’ diet and is far less concerning from a health perspective.
- Hexavalent chromium was not detected in the majority of the surface water samples. The detections in three samples were well below the level that could cause harm.
Of 146 water samples collected over 42 miles of the river since the release, hexavalent chromium was detected in three samples. Chromium was found in six of the 146 samples.
“Public health and safety are paramount to EGLE’s mission,” said Liesl Clark, who was the EGLE Director at the time. “While diligent sampling and testing continue on miles of the Huron River system, along with additional support of communities, the hard work and long hours of EGLE and MDHHS teams have led us to where we are today.”
Read: What is hexavalent chromium? The toxic compound spilled into Huron River, found in I-696 green ooze
What Tribar has been doing to prevent this from happening again
Since the chemical spill, Tribar said they have taken numerous measures to ensure that it will never happen again at its facilities.
Tribar installed automated shut-off valves in the wastewater treatment system, as well as a system that can provide remote, real-time information about the wastewater treatment status to Tribar management.
Tribar now operates the wastewater treatment system with three full-time employees, and management has been trained to operate the system if necessary. It has also implemented a new drug-testing policy for wastewater treatment operators upon hiring, and at any time there is reasonable suspicion of drug use.
As part of its plea agreement, Tribar committed to the development, adoption, implementation, and funding of an Environmental Management System and Compliance Program that will apply to all its facilities in Michigan.
Tribar agreed to pay a $200,000 fine.
