Contact Us

Newsroom

All News Releases By Date

 

EPA requires permit for proposed wastewater well

Release Date: 03/23/2007
Contact Information: CONTACT: Karen Thompson, (312) 353-8547, thompson.karen@epa.gov

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
No. 07-OPA042

CHICAGO (March 23, 2007) - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Region 5 has notified Kennecott Eagle Minerals Co., Marquette, Mich., that it must obtain an underground injection control permit before it can begin construction of a proposed wastewater disposal well.

Kennecott is proposing to begin a mining operation in northern Michigan. The well would be used to dispose of industrial process wastewater.

EPA requires permits in order to protect underground sources of drinking water. Based on the significant volume of wastewater to be discharged and the industrial nature of Kennecott's proposed well, permit conditions will be necessary to protect human health and the environment and to meet the requirements of the Safe Drinking Water Act and underground injection control regulations.

Kennecott must submit a complete permit application for the proposed wastewater well to EPA within 60 days. They must also provide assurance to EPA that sufficient money has been set aside to properly close the well.

# # #