Biff, Inc. — an Enviro Matrix Land SEA Corp. client

Cleanup, Certification of Chrome and Nickel Plating Line

12620 Delta Dr.
Taylor, Michigan

Biff, Inc. (Biff), an electroplating facility located at 12620 Delta Dr., Taylor, MI, operated an approximately 10,500 sq. ft. chrome and nickel-plating line. In February 2002, Biff Inc. shut down its operations. The Michigan Department of Environmental Quality (MDEQ) conducted an inspection of Biff to evaluate its compliance with state and federal regulations. The MDEQ issued a letter of violation (LOV) on August 5, 2002 to Biff. Biff retained Enviro Matrix Land SEA Corp. (EMLS) with financial payments by Standard Federal Bank (SFB) for on-site cleanup, wastewater treatment and discharge, hazardous and non-hazardous waste disposal and engineering activities necessary to conduct and document the site cleanup.

Specific tasks for assistance in preparation of necessary documents performed by EM included:

EM conducted a Facility Assessment (FA) to identify the items of environmental concern present at the facility. Based on the laboratory analytical results, the liquid contained in the tanks were characterized as either "hazardous" or "non-hazardous" liquid industrial waste, for the purpose of off-site disposal and /or on-site treatment. Each individual tank and its contents were measured to get accurate volumes.
EM used Biff’s existing on-site WWTP to treat the Ni-Cr solutions and the wastewater generated during cleaning operations. Approximately 70,000-gallons of identified liquid wastes in tanks were pretreated on-site prior to discharge to Wayne County sanitary sewer. Wayne County authorized EM to discharge treated wastewater from the former Ni-Cr plating tanks, floor, containment area, and wastewaters generated from cleaning of tanks and equipment during closure activities.
EM retained the services of metal reclaiming facilities for recycling/disposal of concentrated Nickel (Ni) and decorative Chromium (Cr) commercial solutions.
After the rinse and Ni solution tanks were pumped out, each tank was cleaned with high-pressure water by subcontractor Park Avenue Associates (PAA). A technician standing on or near the top and outside of each tank used brushes and squeegees with long handles to wash down tank walls and bottom. The wash water was drained to the sumps inside the containment area. Floors, sumps and trenches that were accessible (without equipment removal) in the plating lines and containment area were cleaned.
EM implemented a self-monitoring program of treated wastewater for pH and heavy metals to demonstrate regulatory compliance [40 CFR Part 433.17(a)], prior to its disposal.
Log sheets were used for tracking the wastewater disposal during clean-up operations, and approximately 180,000-gallons of treated wastewater were discharged into a Wayne County sanitary sewer.
The property both inside and outside of the main building was cleaned in accordance with sound environmental practices, procedures and regulations with the objective of the buildings reuse as a plating facility.

Client: Biff, Inc., Mr. Walter Murzin, Owner. (734) 229-1200

Reference: Standard Federal Bank, Mr. Steve Luzkow, Environmental Manager. (248) 822-5739