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Laundromat owner says clogged drain caused small gray‑water release; commission revises cleanup order
Summary
At a hearing over a gray‑water discharge behind 420 West Main Street, property owner Steve Clayton said a clogged drain and a tampered vent caused an estimated 10–20 gallon release. Building officials confirmed the repair; the commission revised the enforcement order to remove the completed repair requirement and kept two cleanup obligations in place.
The IWWCC revised an enforcement order related to a gray‑water discharge behind 420 West Main Street after the property owner told the commission the spill resulted from a clogged drain and a tampered breather pipe.
Steve Clayton, owner of the laundromat at 420 West Main Street, told the commission that a customer’s report led him to inspect the rear of the building on Jan. 15 and that he found the drain clogged and a PVC breather pipe bent or tampered with. Clayton said he unclogged the drain, purchased clamps to secure the pipe and made repairs the same day.
“I saw that there’s magazines, there’s blanket and pillow in the back. It to me, it tells me that it was a homeless person that was drinking and messed with the plumbing,” Clayton said when describing the scene. He told the commission the machines were out of service while the clog was present and that he fixed the plumbing so the machines could return to normal operation.
Staff showed photos of the rear yard and said building officials and utilities (MPU) confirmed the sewer line is clear and that the pipe had been fixed. Staff estimated a small release of roughly 10–20 gallons of gray water reached the regulated area. The building official’s inspection and a follow‑up contact from state personnel were described in the meeting record.
Given that the repair has been completed, the commission voted to revise the enforcement order by removing the requirement listed as item 1 (repair of the piping) and retaining items 2 and 3, which address assessment of the impacted area and a plan for restoration. Chris moved to revise the order to remove item 1 and keep items 2 and 3; Pete seconded and the commission approved the revision unanimously.
Staff said the cleanup scope will be determined after a soil‑scientist assessment and that the commission retains authority to require further action or financial assurance once the restoration plan is submitted.
