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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 24, 1996
96-132
CONTACT:
Lisa Rozmyn (360) 407-6343
Jerry Gilliland (360) 407-6149
ECOLOGY FINES VANCOUVER RADIATOR SHOP FOR MISHANDLING DANGEROUS WASTES
LACEY, WA --The Washington Department of Ecology has fined Vancouver Radiator and Air Conditioning $18,000 for repeatedly mishandling dangerous wastes produced at the radiator repair shop located at 3000 East Fourth Plain Boulevard.
The company, owned by Walt White, also was ordered to clean up and dispose of all remaining dangerous wastes and take steps to ensure that harmful wastes are not discharged into the environment in the future.
The fine followed five inspections by Ecology staff between August 1995 and July 1996 in which they found wastewater and sludge contaminated with lead being discharged to the shop's parking lot and dry well. In the July 1996 inspection staff found wastewater being discharged to the parking lot through a hose running from the wastewater treatment tank. The wastewater contained 23 parts per million lead. Wastewater containing 5 parts per million of lead is considered a dangerous waste.
In a January 1996 inspection staff found puddles of antifreeze running into a storm drain. In February 1996 they found oil in an open drum allowed to overflow with rainwater.
"This business has ignored several efforts by Ecology to help them manage these wastes. We gave them information, offered them technical assistance, and even issued orders to correct the problems -- with no results," said Dan Silver, Ecology's Assistant Director for Waste Management. "Ecology works with businesses to explain how to properly manage dangerous wastes and help them understand what the regulations require. But when this doesn't work, we will take appropriate steps to ensure safe waste management."
Soil samples taken in the parking lot showed no contamination. There are no streams in the area. Heavy metals were found in the sludge contained in a dry well sump. To protect ground water, the sludge needs to be cleaned up and future wastes need to be properly managed.
In addition to the penalty, the shop was ordered to remove all spilled or discharged material from the parking lot and dry well and properly store and dispose of it within a week. The shop has two weeks to dispose of all dangerous waste at the site and provide a backup containment system to capture leaks and overflows.
"We will be making frequent, unannounced visits to this shop until we're convinced that the dangerous waste is being safely managed on site," said Silver.
The firm may appeal the penalty and order to the State Pollution Control Hearings Board.
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
