A Paramount-based industrial coating company, Advanced Industrial Services, Inc. (AIS), has reached a $29,736 settlement with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office after an investigation found the company responsible for illegally discharging 150 gallons of petroleum-contaminated wastewater into a creek bed.
Details of the Petroleum Spill
- Incident Date: November 2022
- Location: Grimes Canyon Creek, Fillmore, CA
- Spill Amount: 150 gallons of petroleum-contaminated wastewater
How It Was Discovered:
- An employee from the California Natural Resources Group noticed petroleum byproduct in a dry creek bed near a leased facility for motor oil manufacturer Dryden.
- Ventura County DA’s Office & California Department of Fish and Wildlife investigators traced the spill back to a vacuum truck operated by AIS.
- Evidence collected:
- Witness interviews
- Photographs
- Tire tread analysis
- Logbook records
What Happened?
- Between 4 a.m. and 4:49 a.m., a temporary AIS employee backed a vacuum truck into Grimes Canyon Creek and illegally discharged wastewater.
- The driver left the site without reporting the spill, violating environmental laws.
Settlement & Permanent Conditions
AIS Settlement Amount: $29,736
Company must comply with permanent conditions prohibiting unlawful disposal of petroleum products.
Ventura County prosecutors emphasized:
“Environmental violations like this pose significant risks to local ecosystems, and those responsible will be held accountable.”
AIS did not respond to media inquiries regarding the case.
AIS’s Previous Safety Violations
December 2022: The U.S. Department of Energy fined AIS $10,600 after an employee suffered a severe blasting injury while working at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.
Aftermath:
- The University of California (which runs the lab) banned AIS from further blasting work at the site.
- AIS cooperated with federal investigators and conducted its own internal probe.
Environmental & Legal Implications
Potential Environmental Damage:
- Petroleum-contaminated wastewater can harm wildlife, pollute water sources, and damage ecosystems.
- Failure to report spills can delay critical cleanup efforts, increasing long-term environmental damage.
Legal Consequences for Companies:
- Companies found violating environmental laws may face fines, stricter regulations, and potential legal action.
- Repeat offenses can result in greater penalties and operational restrictions.
