Board updates industrial wastewater permits; Gemeinhardt moved to non‑significant categorical status

The Elkhart Board of Public Works approved two industrial wastewater permit actions at its June 3 meeting: an amended permit for Winona Powder Coating Inc. to include the company’s newly installed wastewater treatment system, and a delisting of Gemeinhardt’s significant categorical industrial user permit to a non‑significant categorical industrial user permit (permit No. 2025‑03).

Steve Brown of Public Works and Utilities told the board Winona had proactively invested in a wastewater treatment system to address past challenges meeting discharge limits; the permit was updated to reflect that system and no changes to monitoring were required at the time. “This new wastewater treatment system has been incorporated in their permit to reflect their activities,” Brown said.

On Gemeinhardt, Brown said the company’s production has moved overseas and it no longer conducts metal finishing at the Elkhart facility; the company still performs cleaning and packaging operations. The board approved delisting Gemeinhardt as a significant categorical industrial user and issued a non‑significant categorical industrial user permit (No. 2025‑03). Staff said they will continue inspections and will sample discharges as needed; one challenge noted was the facility manhole’s location in the middle of a State Road 19 lane, requiring special traffic control for sampling.

Brown said if Gemeinhardt reshored production to Elkhart, the permit would be updated appropriately. The board approved both permit actions by voice votes; no public opposition was recorded at the meeting.