RI DEM Cites Cranston-Based PJ Keating Company for Air & Water Violations
GoLocalProv News Team
RI DEM Cites Cranston-Based PJ Keating Company for Air & Water Violations
PJ Keating company is charged with violations of Rhode Island’s Water Pollution Act, the Water Quality Regulations, RI Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (RIPDES) Regulations, Fugitive Dust Regulation, and Emissions of Air Contaminants Detrimental to Person or Property Regulation.
The violations come with a penalty of $66,250.
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According to the company's website, "With those Core Values as our focus, P.J. Keating is committed to delivering exceptional quality, service and value to our customers.
Founded in 1923, P.J. Keating Company is a leading manufacturer of construction earth products and installer of hot mix asphalt. Highly regarded as one of the most community-minded construction services companies in the Northeast, and a subsidiary of CRH Americas, public and private entities trust P.J. Keating to meet their specific roadway and paving construction requirements."
PJ Keating Company can request a hearing in front of DEM’s Administrative Adjudication Division within 20 days of receipt of the NOV.
The Violations
According to RI DEM, while conducting air compliance inspections of the facility in 2018, inspectors saw violations of the fugitive dust and emissions regulations on five separate occasions.
Specifically, dust was observed traveling onto Phenix Avenue as trucks exited the property on July 31 and August 1, and although a water truck was in use, it was ineffective in preventing dust from migrating beyond the property.
Dust was observed at the entrance to the property and on Phenix Avenue on August 8 and August 9, and trucks exiting the property were observed carrying material in the grooves of their tires onto Phenix Avenue.
On August 28, dust was observed at the entrance to the property and on Phenix Avenue; although the water truck was watering the inside of the property and the sweeper truck was sweeping up and down Phenix Avenue, these measures were ineffective in preventing dust from migrating beyond the property.
According to DEM, during another inspection on March 26, 2019, dust from the processing equipment was seen blowing onto the Cranston Department of Public Works facility located nearby.
In addition to the air pollution violations, DEM has cited the company for failure to comply with its RIPDES permit.
The RIPDES permit authorizes the company to discharge process water and stormwater from its facility to an unnamed tributary to Furnace Hill Brook.
The company is required to meet limits for monthly average and maximum daily concentrations for suspended solids (TSS) of 25 parts per million and 45 parts per million, respectively.
PJ Keating Company discharged water with TSS levels that exceeded the permit for five consecutive quarterly periods from December 2017 through December 2018.
Resolution
DEM has ordered the company to take immediate necessary actions to ensure that airborne matter or fugitive dust is not migrating beyond the property’s boundary from all operations conducted at the facility.
PJ Keating must submit a Particulate Matter Control Plan to DEM within 30 days that identifies all potential sources of airborne particulate matter associated with the facility operations and the best management practices and other actions that can be taken to prevent dust from migrating beyond the property.
The company is required to implement the plan within 20 days of DEM’s approval and complete corrective work within 60 days.