The Conservation Law Foundation filed a Clean Water Act LawsuitThe Nylon Corporation of America is being criticized for its pollution of the Merrimack River and violation of stormwater and wastewater permits.
Erica Kyzmir McKeon, an attorney at the Conservation Law Foundation, stated the stormwater and wastewater discharges of the company pollute the Merrimack River with low pH levels as well as heavy metals and high temperatures.
Low pH levelsAnd High temperaturesIt can cause harm to fish and other aquatic organisms in the river. Kyzmir McKeon also states that discharges can affect people who live downstream of Nylons facility and use the Merrimack as their drinking water source. Heavy metalsReleased into the river can cause cardiovascular disorders and increase the risk of developing cancer.
Overflows in sewageThe Merrimack River’s water quality has also been affected, which is used by approximately 500,000 people in Massachusetts for drinking water. AccordingThe Environmental Protection Agency.
Many residents of the Greater Nashua region also use the river to get their drinking water. Haverhill in Massachusetts is one example. Manchester, New Hampshire and Manchester, New Hampshire plan to add infiltration wells to the river to increase the number of people who use it as a water source.
According to the Conservation Law Foundation one of the heavy Metals the company is using in the water supply is ZincThe Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry states that consuming large amounts of a substance called ‘Agent for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry’ can lead to anemia and lower good cholesterol levels when taken over a prolonged period of time.
CLF alleges that Nylon Corporation poured zinc into the river more than allowed between 2017-2020. In one instance, the facility discharged more than 800% above the permit limit.
The Conservation Law Foundation notified the Nylon Corporation and the Environmental Protection Agency of New Hampshire about their complaint over 60 days ago as part of the Clean Water Act citizen lawsuit. The EPA and New Hampshire DES have not taken any action to address the alleged polluting.
The company knew for years that they were in violation of their permits. Nothing has been done to correct it, Kyzmir McKeon stated. They hope to find the source of their stormwater pollutants and look at their wastewater sources and fix it.
Multiple requests for comments were not answered by Nylon Corporation of America.
In February, the Conservation Law Foundation filed a citizen suit under the Clean Water Act against Schnitzer Steel Industries. They claimed that they had also discharged pollutants into Merrimack River.
