Phillips 66 pays $17K for Montana water violations

Phillips 66 pays $17,075 to Montana agency for Billings refinery wastewater violations

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) -- Phillips 66 has paid $17,075 to resolve pollution violations involving wastewater from the company's Billings, Mont. refinery.

The Montana Department of Environmental Quality says the Texas-based company's refinery exceeded chlorine limits in its wastewater in 2010, and limits on oil and grease in 2012.

The agency says chlorine is toxic to fish, so there are limits to how much can enter a stream. The company used chlorinated water to test a large storage tank for leaks, but did not remove the chlorine prior to draining the tank.

IThe agency says the company has taken steps to ensure the violations aren't repeated.