City of Ann Arbor Receives $20,000 Restitution for Tribar’s Guilty Plea for Violating Federal Clean Water Act in 2022 Release of Hexavalent Chromium into Huron River

The City of Ann Arbor announced that U.S. District Court Judge Nancy Edmunds ordered Tribar, a Southeast Michigan manufacturer of chrome plated automotive components, to pay the City of Ann Arbor $20,000 in restitution as part of a federal criminal prosecution of Tribar for its July 2022 release of hexavalent chromium into the Huron River. 

Hexavalent chromium, or Chromium VI, is a carcinogen if inhaled and can result in an increased risk of lung cancer. 

The City of Ann Arbor provides municipal water to approximately 125,000 residents of the City of Ann Arbor, Ann Arbor Township, and Scio Township.  The vast majority (75%) of that water comes from the Huron River. Tribar’s release of hexavalent chromium created a potential threat to the city’s drinking water supply if the toxic chemical flowed downriver into the city’s drinking water intake.

To address the potential threat to the city’s drinking water, Water Treatment Plant and Emergency Management staff immediately implemented an emergency response plan that included water testing, developing new treatment methods, scenario and contingency planning, and frequent communication to the public.

The $20,000 in restitution in the criminal case recompenses the City of Ann Arbor for its efforts in response to the release including the purchase of treatment chemicals and reagents, testing and consulting services, and city staff time spent responding to and preparing for the release.

“This incident was a serious threat to our community’s health and safety, and I want to express my deep appreciation to our dedicated Water Treatment Plant and Emergency Management teams for their swift and professional response,” said City Administrator Milton Dohoney Jr. “Their tireless work ensured our water remained safe, and their actions protected more than 100,000 residents. I also commend our City Attorney’s Office for their tenacity and legal expertise in helping secure accountability and restitution from Tribar.”

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