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CALIFORNIA MAN TO BE IMPRISONED FOR TOXIC DISCHARGES INTO SEWER
Release Date: 05/04/2001
Contact Information:
FOR RELEASE: FRIDAY, MAY 4, 2001
ENFORCEMENT WRAP-UP
CALIFORNIA MAN TO BE IMPRISONED FOR
TOXIC DISCHARGES INTO SEWER
Luke C. Hester 202-564-7818 / [email protected]
CALIFORNIA MAN TO BE IMPRISONED FOR
TOXIC DISCHARGES INTO SEWER
Luke C. Hester 202-564-7818 / [email protected]
On April 23, Edward Fixen, a former electroplating operator in San Luis Obispo, Calif., was sentenced to 18 months in prison for violating the Clean Water Act (CWA) by discharging toxics into the community sewer system. Fixen violated his electroplating facility’s CWA discharge permit by intentionally releasing higher than permitted levels of cyanide, nickel and corrosives into the sewer system, which discharges into San Luis Creek and the Pacific Ocean. Furthermore, trial witnesses testified that he attempted to conceal his illegal activity by trying to circumvent a monitoring device placed in the sewer by the city. Cyanide and nickel are highly toxic and can threaten the health of sewage treatment plant workers. Discharging unpermitted levels of cyanide, nickel and corrosives can also damage sewage treatment facilities and lead to the discharge of chemicals and improperly treated sewage into surface waters, creating a public exposure risk and harming fish and wildlife. The case was investigated by EPA’s Criminal Investigation Division, the FBI, the San Luis Obispro Industrial Wastewater Division, the City Attorney’s office, the county District Attorney’s office, the California EPA, and the Santa Barbara/San Luis Regional Environmental Task Force. It was prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Los Angeles.
R-069 ###
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