Investigations

On August 3, 2020, the U.S. District of Court for the Central District of California, sentenced United Storm Water, Inc. to 3 years’ probation, $375,000 fine and a $500 special assessment for violations of the Hazardous Materials Act. During the period of probation, United Storm Water, Inc. must maintain a compliance program to ensure the company complies with those provisions of the Clean Water Act, Hazardous Materials Transportation Act, and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, which apply to its operations as a waste transporter. It must also submit a report on the program to the Federal government annually.

 

On August 7, CG Roxane, LLC—the company that bottles Crystal Geyser Natural Alpine Spring Water—was sentenced in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California, to 3 years’ probation, $5 million fine, and a $800 special assessment for illegally storing and transporting hazardous waste. CG Roxane created the hazardous waste when it filtered arsenic from spring water at its facility in Olancha, California. During the period of probation, CG Roxane must establish a compliance program to ensure the company adheres to provisions of the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act and Resource Conservation and Recovery Act. The compliance program must include the company's retention of a qualified and experienced third-party environmental auditor to conduct annual audits of CG Roxane's Olancha facility.

 

DOT-OIG conducted these investigations with the Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigations Division and assistance from the California Department of Toxic Substances Control and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration.