Port Company to Pay, Storm Water Violations

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency today proposed a fine of $47,100 against APM Terminals Pacific Limited for violations of its storm water permit at its Port of Los Angeles facility.

According to the EPA, between October 1, 2004 and January 17, 2008, APM Terminals Pacific Limited, one of the world’s largest container terminal companies, reportedly discharged industrial-activity storm water at its marine shipping container terminal facility, a violation of Clean Water Act and the California National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System.

“Controlling storm water pollution is key to improving Southern California water quality,” said Alexis Strauss, Water Division director for the EPA's Pacific Southwest region. “Many tools to control storm water pollution are simply good housekeeping and continued maintenance.”

Polluted runoff is a major cause of water pollution, which can carry pollutants from industrial sources, such as metals, oil and grease, acidic wastewater, bacteria, trash, and other toxic pollutants into nearby water sources. The EPA requires industrial facilities to prevent water pollution by complying with federal and state water pollution requirements.

The action is part of a larger enforcement initiative focusing on ports to ensure their tenants comply with storm water requirements. The U.S. EPA and the Los Angeles Regional Quality Control Board conducted a storm water audit of the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach in May 2007, and issued 20 administrative orders to the Ports’ tenants in November 2007, including APM Terminals Pacific Limited.