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Siemens will pay $27K to settle haz waste violations

Release Date: 07/13/2006
Contact Information: Wendy Chavez, 415/947-4248, [email protected]

(San Francisco, Calif. – 07/13/06) The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency recently settled with Siemens Water Technologies Corp., formerly Westates Carbon-Arizona, Inc., requiring the company to pay a $27,059 fine for improper hazardous waste handling at its facility located on the Colorado River Indian Reservation near Parker, Ariz.

The company will also install a new double-walled tank, replace secondary containment for other tanks, and implement revised inspection procedures.

“We are pleased that Westates has taken significant steps to come into full compliance and improve their hazardous waste management practices,” said Jeff Scott, the EPA's Waste Management Division director for the Pacific Southwest region. “Proper waste management is critical, and the EPA is committed to ensure that companies handling hazardous waste comply with the law.”

Joint EPA and Colorado River Indian Tribe inspections discovered that Westates:

· stored discarded hazardous waste samples in an open drum;
· failed to record inspection results, necessary repairs and schedule of repairs; and
· failed to comply with the requirement to maintain adequate secondary containment.

Firms that handle hazardous waste must properly manage and store waste to prevent spills and safeguard worker health and the surrounding community. The EPA’s Resource Conservation and Recovery Act oversees how to safely manage and dispose of solid and hazardous waste generated nationwide.

For more information on the EPA's RCRA program visit: https://www.epa.gov/Region9/waste/rcra/ca/rcrainfo.htm