Summary of TRI Surface Water Releases To Great Lakes In 2011

According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s annual Toxics Release Inventory (TRI) report releases of EPCRA Section 313 reportable chemicals into surface waters in the Great Lakes Basin increased by 12 % from 2010 to 2011. Nitrates and pesticides from municipal wastewater treatment plants and agriculture account for most of the releases from surface water discharges to the Great Lakes Basin. Nitrates were also discharged by primary metals facilities, such as iron and steel mills and smelters, and food and beverage manufacturers.

For the summary, the Great Lakes Basin consists of Lakes Superior, Michigan, Huron, Erie and Ontario; a number of other smaller lakes and waterways; and the surrounding watershed. The watershed covers parts of Illinois, Indiana, Minnesota, Michigan, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, and parts of Ontario in Canada. Despite increases from 2010 to 2011, overall Section 313 releases in the Great Lakes Basin have decreased about 40 % since 2003 and are currently at the second-lowest level in a decade. Surface water, air and land releases in the basin increased by 12, 1 and 4 % respectively, while underground injection decreased 5 % from 2010 to 2011.

Read summary of national EPCRA TRI releases for 2011.

Facilities in Wisconsin must report their Section 313 chemical releases to EPA under the Emergency Planning and Community Right-to-Know Act (EPCRA 313) by the beginning of July each year. The Pollution Prevention Act of 1990 also requires information on waste management activities related to TRI chemicals. Caltha provides technical support to facilities nationwide to determine if they have processed or otherwise used Section 313 chemicals above reporting thresholds, and if so, to assist in the preparation of Form R TRI reports.

Do you miss submitting your 2011 TRI report, which was due on July 1, 2012? Contact Caltha to discuss options for submitting late Form R Toxic Release Inventory.


Caltha LLP provides expert environmental consultant services in Wisconsin to obtain air and wastewater permits, evaluate regulatory requirements, and to develop cost effective compliance programs.
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