BP’s refinery in Indiana is thought to have been inspected after the facility discharged five times more industrial waste into Lake Michigan than allowed earlier this week.
A BP spokesman was quoted as saying “an upset” at the refinery’s wastewater treatment facility had caused the infringement and said the firm was working to correct the problem.
The company reportedly said no hydrocarbons had leaked into the lake, adding that the excess in wastewater discharges would not affect drinking water or marine life.
The refinery is legally allowed to discharge 5,700 pounds of “suspended solids” daily, but on Monday was thought to have sent 26,600 pounds into the lake.
According to media reports, a spokesperson for Indiana’s environment department said the problem occurred while BP was undertaking “operational adjustments”.