River recreationists and wildlife shouldn’t be swimming in E coli, oil, grease and chlorine. That’s why when Great Rivers was approached by our client, the Missouri Confluence Waterkeeper, with concerns that a Valley Park Motomart gas station was discharging these pollutants into the Meramec River, we took the case.
The gas station’s own records showed that they were continuously discharging these substances at rates in violation of federal and state Clean Water Act laws for the last five years. And they weren’t small violations. Sampling done by the facility showed levels of E. coli at 24,200 colonies/100 ML of water, which is 192 times higher than allowed in its permit (126 colonies/100 ML of water). Worse still, these discharges were being made into the Meramec in an area frequently used by river recreationists.
“These discharges presented a direct and substantial threat to the water quality of the Meramec River,” shared Bob Menees, lead
attorney on the case, “especially in light of the Meramec River’s status as an impaired water.”
On April 3, 2019, Great Rivers filed a formal notification that we intended to sue within 60 days if they did not remedy the violations. In response to our Notice of Intent, MotoMart took significant steps to address the pollution problems at its station. Recent sampling has shown that levels of E. coli that are now well within permitted levels. We are pleased to report these measurable results as we fight to protect the cleanliness and health of our shared waters.
It’s nice you got them to clean up their act but they are directly across the Meramec from the mouth of Fishpot Creek which drains the West County Landfill. I doubt that MotoMart can hold a candle to the pollutants that creek is dumping in the River.
Thank you for your comment, David. If you or other readers are concerned about sources of pollutants in Missouri’s creeks or rivers, you may call our office and speak to one of our attorneys directly to see if we are able to provide assistance. You may reach us at 314-231-4181. Thank you for your vigilance and for sharing your concern.