Federal and state environmental officials moved quickly this week after a white, slurry-like substance was seen flowing into the Hutchinson River from a cement plant in Westchester County. The discharge, traced back to the SRM Concrete facility, sparked concern among residents and local community groups, leading to an immediate investigation.

The Hutchinson River—already dealing with long-standing pollution issues—runs through parts of Westchester and the Bronx. When the suspicious discharge was reported, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) launched a site inspection. Soon after, the EPA issued a formal order to SRM Concrete for violations of environmental laws and outlined steps the company must take to prevent future pollution.

This marks one of the first major enforcement actions in the region under the EPA’s new leadership appointed earlier this year. EPA Region 2 praised local residents for quickly reporting the issue and reinforced the agency’s commitment to protecting public waterways and enforcing environmental regulations.

According to officials, the enforcement order requires SRM Concrete to take corrective actions and comply with both federal and state environmental standards. The EPA emphasized its strategy of combining strong enforcement with technical support to help facilities stay in compliance while continuing operations.

While the full extent of the impact on the river is still under investigation, the EPA encouraged the public to keep reporting environmental issues through its online “Report an Environmental Violation” tool. The agency will continue monitoring the site and working with state partners to hold the facility accountable and protect water quality in the Hutchinson River—an ongoing priority for regional environmental oversight.