American Iron Oxide Co. has been ordered to allow an independent inspection of its fiberglass storage tanks in Allenport, on the Monongahela River in eastern Washington County, following a 32,000-gallon spill of acidic pickling liquor on Aug. 11.

Although the steel industry solvent was contained by earthen dikes on site and did not pollute the river, the state Department of Environmental Protection issued the order last week after reviewing AMROX inspection records that showed multiple and persistent leaks from five of the company's 10 tanks.

Katy Gresh, a DEP spokeswoman, said the department has been talking to the company about doing the independent tank inspections for six months but has been denied access to the property. The DEP said tank defects occurring during the last four years include interior and exterior cracks in the tanks and patch failures.

The company's acid regeneration and iron oxide production facility has been required to document all tank problems under a 2005 consent order. In the last decade, the company has been subject to four enforcement actions by the DEP for air, waste and water violations.

The latest spill was discovered by the DEP during a routine site visit.

Ms. Gresh said the independent inspection is needed to determine what caused the Aug. 11 discharge, make sure company inspections and tank repairs are being done properly, and review the preventative maintenance done by the company. Last week's order would allow an expert tank inspector under contract to the DEP to determine the soundness of all 10 tanks.

"While AMROX has met the inspection schedule set by the 2005 consent order and agreement, the fact that it has been required to make so many repairs on the same tanks in the past four years and that the tanks continue to leak is a cause of concern," said Ronald Schwartz, DEP acting regional director.

The inspections, he said, are needed to "assure the safety of Allenport residents."

Malvin Sander, AMROX vice president, said the Aug. 11 discharge wasn't caused by a tank leak but occurred when a bolt failed and a hose broke loose from where it was coupled to a tank.

"We want to assure everyone that we've complied with environmental laws in the past and are not in violation of any above-ground tank laws now," said Mr. Sander.

The company, which collects spent pickle liquor from a number of steel makers and regenerates it for reuse by those same companies, will decide in the next few days whether to appeal the DEP order to the state Environmental Hearing Board.