MILFORD, PA — The unpermitted discharge of chemicals used for stripping floors at the Delaware Valley School District (DVSD) led to an investigation from the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). The DEP found the district in violation of the Pennsylvania Clean Streams Law, and the district promised to address its procedures to prevent such a discharge in the future. 

A tip submitted to the DEP on Wednesday, July 17 alleged that a white fluid had been discharged from a culvert on DVSD property to the Delaware River, according to a notice of violation obtained from the DEP. 

A DEP representative investigated the school on Thursday, August 8, and found "a cloudy discharge with foam and an odor from the storm water system," reads the notice of violation. 

The district's Director of Support Services, Martin Eversdyke, told the DEP that wastewater with two chemicals used for stripping floors — specifically Blaze and Best Scrub — was "dumped" in a parking lot storm drain. 

DVSD sent a letter to the DEP in response to the notice of violation, a letter drafted by MHE Engineering. 

Eversdyke advised the DEP that the district had finished stripping its floors for the upcoming school year and that it would develop a waste disposal plan, likely using professional waste haulers, before resuming use of those chemicals, according to the letter. 

"Education of staff in regards to the waste management plan will avoid the potential for future unpermitted discharges to the storm drain system," read the letter. 

The DEP is still reviewing whether there will be additional enforcement action or fines, according to Colleen Connolly, DEP Regional Communications Manager.