Elkhart Board fines three industrial users, tables two mercury cases after sampling concerns

The City of Elkhart Board of Public Works on 2025-10-07 found several industrial wastewater permittees in violation of discharge rules and assessed fines, while tabling two low-concentration mercury exceedance cases pending further sampling and analysis.

Why it matters: Industrial wastewater violations can indicate potential public-health or infrastructure risks, trigger enforcement actions under the city’s enforcement response plan and, in the case of certain pollutants such as hydrogen sulfide (H2S) or mercury, risk accelerated damage to sewer infrastructure or downstream water quality.

The board voted to find Dimensional Metals Products (d/b/a RC Industries) in violation for failing to conduct required self-monitoring and for failing to submit an industrial user process report by the deadline. Steve Brown, public works, said the company missed twice-yearly sampling and July 25 report submission; the enforcement response plan recommended a total penalty of $1,150 ($900 for missing required sampling of nine parameters and $250 for late report). Bruce Carpenter,…