EPA said facilities in Visalia, California owned by Advanced Food Products and Milk Specialties Global, discharge industrial wastewater to the sanitary sewer system, which flows into Mill Creek.
Advanced Food Products produces processed cheese sauce and Milk Specialties Global makes products from raw milk.
Each facility must submit a plan to ensure its wastewater is properly treated before discharge, and in compliance with federal and local standards, including limits for electrical conductivity (a measure for dissolved salt content).
Violations were found during January 2014 inspections and file reviews. The companies must do monthly and quarterly sampling of treated industrial wastewaters to assure compliance with the permitted limits.
Wastewater amounts
Advanced Food Products generates about 70,000 gallons of wastewater per day, which is treated prior to being discharged to the sanitary sewer.
Over the past five years, its wastewater exceeded limits for electrical conductivity, oil and grease, total suspended solids, and cadmium, and the pH range requirement.
EPA ordered the firm to install and start-up its proposed system and provide notice of completion by November 16.
Wastewater from cleaning and sterilizing production equipment at Milk Specialties Global exceeded limits for electrical conductivity, oil and grease, biochemical oxygen demand and total suspended solids.
Since purchasing the facility in February 2013, Milk Specialties Global has consistently exceeded pH range requirement by discharging acidic wastewater to the sanitary sewer that can cause corrosion of sewer pipes.
EPA ordered it to install and start-up its proposed wastewater management system, and provide notice of completion by January 31 next year.
The company plans to invest an estimated $3.5m to upgrade its production processes and wastewater management system.
EPA also revealed the resolution of a series of enforcement actions against Univar, a distributor of industrial chemicals.