‘Onion-odor’ plant to remain open, may use ‘alternative’ treatment options

The Fulton County Public Works Department has reached an agreement with the Philip Service Corporation (PSC) to end all industrial wastewater discharges from its Fairburn plant to the Fulton County Sewage Treatment System.

The agreement stems from the county’s investigation of PSC’s waste treatment and discharge practices, including an incident in June 2006 involving wash water containing the pesticide ethoprop, sold under the brand name MOCAP, shipped to PSC from AMVAC in Axis, Ala.

Following discussions with PSC’s counsel, PSC agreed to withdraw its pre-treatment permit renewal application and allow the current pre-treatment permit to expire on Dec. 22, 2006.

According to the agreement, PSC will physically plug the sewer connections by Dec. 22, 2006, so that future discharges cannot occur.

PSC also agreed not to reapply for a pre-treatment permit for this facility for at least six years.

Although the PSC facility will no longer be able to discharge industrial wastewater into the Fulton County Sewer Treatment System, the facility may elect to continue to operate under its state permits by using alternative waste disposal options.

Fulton County District 7 Commissioner William “Bill” Edwards praised the county’s successful efforts to protect the residents who live near the plant, and the integrity of the public sewage treatment system from waste treatment and discharge practices that may pose risks to the health and safety of the citizens.

“Nothing is more important than the health and well being of our citizens,” said Edwards. “I’m proud of the way Fulton County responded to protect the families who came to us asking for our help. This action will ensure that our sewer system will no longer be threatened by these kinds of unpermitted discharges.”

The vice-chair of the Fulton County Commission, Emma Darnell, who represents District 5, also had praise for the way the county responded to the environmental threat.

“In the area of human health and the environment, Fulton County will do more than talk the talk. We will continue to walk the walk. Every effort will be made to reduce and eliminate the source of any unreasonable risk, public or private, to the health and safety of the residents of Fulton County,” Darnell said.

The plant has been the target of resolutions from several area governments urging its shutdown following the reported illnesses of hundreds of residents in a 40-square-mile “hot zone” around the Fairburn plant.