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BILL VARIANThe Sierra Club wants to stop wastewater discharges it says violate federal standards and are polluting Tampa Bay.
TAMPA - The Sierra Club of Florida has served notice to the city of Tampa and the manager of an industrial uniform maker and laundry company that it intends to sue both over alleged violations of federal clean water standards with wastewater discharges.
Notices were sent to both the city and the local plant manager for Cintas Corp., located at 7101 Parke East Boulevard, late Thursday.
The Sierra Club claims that since 2000, Cintas has repeatedly dumped wastewater into the city's sewage system with pollution that violates federal standards, and that the city hasn't done anything to stop it.
"We're asking the city of Tampa to sit down with Cintas and come up with a plan to force them to take action to stop the release of lead, copper, oil and grease in the city's sewer system," said Frank Jackalone, Florida staff director for the Sierra Club.
The environmental group also says the city's sewer system has several problems that result in periodic discharges of wastewater.
In both cases, the result is that unacceptable levels of pollution flow into Tampa Bay threatening people and the wildlife that use the water, the Sierra Club contends.
David Smith, the city attorney for Tampa, said he had not yet seen the notice and could not speak about the specific allegations.
"It's a matter of public record that we have had some discharges," Smith said. "It is the city of Tampa's desire to have a system that operates as perfectly as possible. With time, we're confident we can get there."
A Cintas spokesman also said he had not seen the suit and couldn't speak specifically about it. The company makes uniforms and other items like doormats for businesses.
"We have a very stringent environmental program, and we believe we have one of the best compliance records in the industry," said Wade Gates, spokesman for the Cincinnati-based chain.