Massachusetts-based textile company Duro Textiles LLC, has agreed to pay a $480,000 fine to settle a federal case—brought by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Attorney’s Office in Massachusetts—for Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act violations at its manufacturing plants in Fall River, Massachusetts. Duro has also made operating changes to come into compliance with federal law.

Duro Textiles produces finished specialty textiles such as camouflage and high-performance sports fabrics. Its employees conduct dyeing, coating, and finishing processes on raw bolts of fabric to produce textiles ready for construction of garments and other products. These processes generate large volumes of highly acidic and highly alkaline wastewater and significant quantities of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that promote the formation of ozone in the air.

The complaint alleges that three of Duro’s plants repeatedly e violated the legal limits on low and high pH wastewater discharged into the Fall River sewer system and treatment works and also failed to routinely inspect potential sources of storm water contamination (such as outdoor fuel tanks and chemical unloading areas), which left Duro unable to address any emerging water pollution problems.

The complaint also alleges that Duro failed to maintain minimum operating temperatures at an incinerator used to control VOC emissions at one of its plants.

“While we are pleased that Duro has continued the tradition of Massachusetts textile operations when so many other companies have shut down or moved abroad, it is critically important that Duro comply with federal air and water pollution laws,” said Michael Sullivan, US Attorney.