• Tribar Technologies Inc. fined $220,000 for Clean Water Act violation.
• The company discharged 10,000 gallons of untreated wastewater containing hexavalent chromium into Wixom's sewer system.
• The incident led to a 'no-contact' advisory for the Huron River and triggered a multi-agency investigation.

Tribar Technologies Inc., an auto parts manufacturer in Wixom, Michigan, has been ordered to pay $220,000 for violating the Clean Water Act. The violation occurred in July 2022 when the company discharged approximately 10,000 gallons of untreated wastewater, containing the carcinogenic substance hexavalent chromium, into the city of Wixom's sanitary sewer system, which ultimately flows into the Huron River. This illegal discharge prompted a temporary no-contact advisory for the Huron River and a comprehensive investigation involving multiple state and federal agencies.

• What: Tribar Technologies illegally discharged 10,000 gallons of untreated wastewater containing hexavalent chromium into Wixom's sewer system, violating the Clean Water Act.
• Who: Tribar Technologies Inc., U.S. Attorney's Office, Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes, and Energy (EGLE), EPA, DOJ, Michigan Department of Natural Resources, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Coast Guard Investigative Service
• When: The discharge occurred on July 29, 2022. The company reported it on Aug. 1, 2022. The 'no-contact' advisory was issued on Aug. 2, 2022, and lifted on Aug. 15, 2022. Sentencing took place April 29.
• Where: Wixom, Michigan, specifically Tribar Technologies' Plant 5. The wastewater flowed into the city's sanitary sewer system and subsequently the Huron River. The no-contact advisory affected the Huron River between North Wixom Road and Kensington Road.

The illegal discharge by Tribar Technologies highlights the importance of adherence to environmental regulations and the potential consequences of negligence in wastewater treatment. The incident led to a temporary public health advisory for the Huron River and a thorough investigation by multiple agencies, underscoring the seriousness of the violation. The company's required implementation of an environmental management system and compliance plan signifies a commitment to preventing future incidents. Tribar laying off 188 workers and closing the Wixom plant, as well as being sold indicates that the incident may have had serious financial and operational repercussions for the business.

Tribar’s failure to adequately train and supervise its employees jeopardized the safety and quality of local water resources. This sentence recognizes the importance of strict adherence to regulatory standards and best practices intended to protect human health and the environment. Together with our partners we will continue to protect environmental resources in the Eastern District of Michigan.

Tribar illegally discharged industrial wastewater, posing a risk to downstream waterways. The successful and cooperative effort by EPA, federal and state partners resulted in today’s sentencing, holding Tribar responsible for violating federal environmental law.

Tribar Technologies' $220,000 fine and five years of probation for violating the Clean Water Act serve as a stern reminder of the importance of environmental compliance. The 2022 discharge of untreated wastewater into Wixom's sewer system, leading to Huron River contamination concerns, prompted a robust investigation and a commitment from Tribar to improve its environmental management practices. The incident underscores the need for rigorous oversight and training to prevent future environmental hazards.