D.C. sues major construction contractor over water pollution
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Fort Myer Construction crews. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
D.C. awards many of its road paving contracts to one company, Fort Myer Construction Corp. The city is now suing the company, alleging it polluted waterways.
Why it matters: Fort Myer is a big local player — if you're driving on asphalt, Fort Myer probably paved it.
Driving the news: D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb alleges that as early as 2015, Fort Myer began allowing petroleum contaminants to flow out of its headquarters in Northeast.
- D.C. environmental inspections through last year found "at least twenty unpermitted illegal pollutant discharges of 'greywater' (salty wastewater containing sediment and other pollutants) and petroleum," the lawsuit filed Thursday says.
- "The company ignored repeated orders from D.C. agencies to clean up its facility and obtain proper permits, choosing instead to put its profits over the protection of D.C.'s critical natural resources," Schwalb said in a statement.
- D.C. claims the pollutants ended up in stormwater sewers and the Springhouse Run stream, which flows through the National Arboretum to the Anacostia River.
The AG is seeking financial penalties.
The other side: Fort Myer denies the allegations.
- "No construction company in the District has built more green infrastructure projects protecting our environment and making our neighborhoods more resilient to extreme weather caused by climate change," it added in a statement.
Zoom in: The AG's lawsuit says Fort Myer made sporadic improvements over the years, such as installation of pollution control devices.
- But the company operated without a required EPA discharge permit for about a decade, finally receiving one this year, according to the AG.
Between the lines: Fort Myer, which has done business in the area for over 50 years, is a politically connected company.
- For decades, it has donated to city politicians. At-large Council member Anita Bonds formerly worked for the company.