Illegal Dumping by Washington Adventist Hospital and Columbia Union College

Marty Ittner March 23, 2004	Illegal Drain Update January 6, 2006	Outrage at Outfall February 25, 2006	Administrative Order March 28, 2006
While walking my dog about 2:30pm on March 23 on my usual route on Sligo Creek trail between Maple and Flower Aves, I spotted a neon green liquid coming from the outfall directly adjacent to Maple Ave Bridge. That evening, I called the Department of Environmental Protection and was called back by Linda Kurtz (240-777-7747) on March 24th. I met her at the site and photographed the aftermath. Linda went to Washington Adventist Hospital (located directly above the outfall) and spoke with plant manager Steven Lapham (301-891-4161) who told her their chilling tubes (for HVAC) had been cleaned the day before by a private company TASCO. A soda-ash neutralized descaling cleaning material washed down the drain in the floor. This drain is illegally connected to the regular stormwater pipe, and therefore dumped the cleaning solution directly into Sligo Creek. Linda told Steven of the violation and also reported to Mark Ekerd (301-665-2850) at the Maryland Department of the Environment. Mark visited the Hospital and Columbia Union College on March 25th. The college was also found in violation of their swimming pool discharge permit, which requires a periodic water sampling. Linda informed me that the City of Takoma Park, specifically Alfred Lott (301-891-7626) at the Dept. of Public Works is responsible for enforcement. Both WAH and CUC have received notification of violations for separate incidents involving illegal dumping into Sligo Creek. WAH is required to seal of their illegal drains, and divert to the proper pipes. I will watch the outfalls and contact the Friends of Sligo Creek water quality committee for testing kits. to monitor the water in Sligo. I have spoken to City Council Member Marc Elrich (301-587-2685) and also plan to contact the media. Green residue below outfall on 3/24 from the previous day's dump Water sample taken on 3/23

Update Marty Ittner January 6, 2006

Update on Illegal Drain The Maryland Department of Environment determined the drain belonged to Columbia Union College, not Washington Adventist Hospital. More than a year later, Linda Kurtz reports that the drain has not been fixed. Back to top of page

Update Marty Ittner February 25, 2006

Outrage at Outfall Nearly 2 years after air-conditioning coil cleaning solution was discovered leaking into Sligo at Maple Ave, the problem persists. This past Saturday, a milky substance was seen leaking into Sligo from the same outfall. I spoke with maintainence workers, and was told: "they were doing some cleaning." So, it appears another cleaning solution was dumped directly into Sligo Creek. The problem is the drain, owned by Columbia Union College, which is connected to the storm water pipes. CUC has been notified of the illegal setup by Montgomery County and the State of Maryland, yet the dumping continues. How much longer must we wait and watch the blatant polluting of Sligo Creek? Marty Ittner Steward, Section2 Detergent entering the creek from a stormwater outfall The possible source of the detergent behind the Washington Adventist Hospital Back to top of page

Update Marty Ittner March 28, 2006

Columbia Union College Receives Administrative Order for Polluting Sligo Creek March 13, 2006: The Maryland Department of the Environment has determined that Columbia Union College (CUC) violated Environment Article, Title 9, Annotated Code of Maryland, regarding water pollution as described in the enclosed Administrative Complaint, Order and Penalty Number A0-06-0237. This order has been a long time coming. Item 40: Maryland law prohibits the unauthorized discharge of any pollutant into waters of the State. By Discharging pollutants without authorization to Sligo Creek on June 12, 14 and 24, and July 22, 2002, March 23, 25 and June 23, 2004, April 28 and May12, 2005, and January 12, 2006 from its swimming pool and the connection of sinks, floor drains and overflows to the storm drain system, CUC has violated Maryland law. And, the penalty: The Department is seeking Administrative Penalty in the amount of $28,900 against CUC, Inc. The penalty is based on factors set forth in Section 9-342 of the Environment Article of the Annotated Code of Maryland. Hopefully CUC will own up to their enviromental responsibility to our community and fix their drains immediately. After over 4 years of documented dumps, it is long overdue. Read the Gazette Article College fined for polluting Sligo Creek. Marty Ittner Steward, Section 2 Friends of Sligo Creek Back to top of page