Settlement Reached In Disposal of Hazardous Chemicals In Santa Rosa

The City of Santa Rosa and JDS Uniphase have resolved an administrative enforcement case regarding illegal disposal by the high-tech, Santa Rosa company of a hazardous chemical into the City’s sanitary sewer system.

The Santa Rosa Fire Department detected the illegal disposal of the chemical used in producing silicon wafers, tetramethylammonium, in the sanitary sewer on March 11, 2014, but the disposal began in August 2010, Assistant Fire Marshal Paul Lowenthal said.

The discovery was referred to the Santa Rosa City Attorney’s Office and a Cease and Desist Order was issued on March 13, 2014. JDS Uniphase immediately complied with the order and remains in compliance, Lowenthal said. The chemical was then collected in a temporary holding tank that was shipped offsite for proper disposal, Lowenthal said.

The hazardous disposal from the company’s location at 2789 Northpoint Parkway caused no harm to the sanitary sewer system or the Laguna Wastewater Treatment Plant, Lowenthal said.

On March 2, 2015, the Santa Rosa Fire Department issued a show cause letter to JDS Uniphase stating the City was preparing to bring an administrative action against the company to ensure compliance and assess penalties for violations under California Health and Safety codes, Lowenthal said.

The company was encouraged to contact the City to discuss a settlement, Lowenthal said. JDS Uniphase agreed to pay $92,400 in penalties for the discharges, and both parties agreed the consent order represents a compromise of disputed manners, and JDS Uniphase does not admit the violations alleged in the consent order, Lowenthal said.

--Bay City News/Shutterstock image

Also on Patch

• Coming Soon: Tesla Test Drives, Wine and Cheese In Beautiful Healdsburg
• Healdsburg Plaza #ShowMeYourBottle - 26 May 2015
• Sonoma Co. Teacher Wins National Innovator Award
• BottleRock Stage Is Up And Ready For Weekend ... As Are ‘No Parking’ Signs
• Bicyclist Killed In Truck Collision Was Celebrating 1-Year Wedding Anniversary In Wine Country
• Teen Suffers Major Injuries In Crash Near Forestville