EPA v. Municipalty of San Juan, Puerto Rico

Case summary

The Municipality of San Juan, Puerto Rico, owns/operates the San Juan Obras Publicas y Ambiente (Public Works and the Environment). On February 14, 2006, EPA conducted an inspection of the facility. The facility is used for motor pool maintenance (cars/trucks), gas station functions, and painting of buildings and streets, among other duties, thoughout the San Juan Municipality. During the inspection violations of RCRA were found. The following violations/problems found during the inspection were, 1) Numerous open containers of used oil, 2) Unlabeled used oil containers, 3) Regular trash mixed in with used oil and water, 4) Oil spills not contained, 5) Oil filters thrown into the regular trash, 6) Fluorescent light bulbs thrown in regular trash without making a hazardous waste determination, and 7) storage of used oil and other waste material(s) in a pit located behind the preventative maintenence car pool area. EPA issued a Complaint, Compliance Order, and Notice of Opportunity for Hearing, with a penalty of $90,339 for the violations/problems found during the inspection. The Compliance Order requires the San Juan Obras Publicas y Ambiente to correct the violations/problems. The following violations/problems found during the inspection were, 1) Numerous open containers of used oil, 2) Unlabeled used oil containers, 3) Regular trash mixed in with used oil and water, 4) Oil spills not contained, 5) Oil filters thrown into the regular trash, 6) Fluorescent light bulbs thrown in regular trash without making a hazardous waste determination, and 7) storage of used oil and other waste material(s) in a pit located behind the preventative maintenence car pool area. EPA is issuing a Complaint, Compliance Order, and Notice of Opportunity for Hearing, with a penalty of $90,339 for the violations/problems found during the inspection. The Compliance Order requires the San Juan Obras Publicas y Ambiente to correct the violations/problems, if they have not already done so.

Defendants (1)

• San Juan, Puerto Rico Municipality ofNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• OBRAS PUBLICAS MUNICIPAL DE SAN JUAN

  PR-2 KM 1.7 AVE KENNEDY, SAN JUAN, PR, 00936

  Registry ID: 110055645761

Statutes cited

• RCRA 3002 — Standards Applicable to Generators of Hazardous Waste

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• Municipalty of San Juan, Puerto Ricoentered 2008-09-15

  Primary law: RCRA

  Federal penalty: $25,000 · SEP: $103,006

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2007-06-30Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2007-08-17Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2008-09-15Final Order Issued
• 2008-09-15Enforcement Action Closed