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City fined nearly $500,000 for wastewater treatment plant discharge violations 

Wastewater Treatment Plant secondary clarifier.

Wastewater Treatment Plant secondary clarifier.

Plant exceeded limits established for wastewater discharge

–The City of Paso Robles was fined $495,000 in total for a number of infractions related to wastewater discharge from the Paso Robles Wastewater Treatment Plant. The fines were imposed by the Central Coast Regional Water Quality Control Board because water from the Paso Robles treatment plant exceeded limits established in a 2011 permit 173 times between Oct. 3, 2013, and June 27, 2016, according to Assistant Executive Officer Michael Thomas.

The fine was issued because California law requires the regional water board to assess mandatory fines for certain types of discharge violations. Each violation was subject to a $3,000 fine, which collectively added up to the $495,000.

The fines were imposed on the older facility, during the time that it was being upgraded.

Half the fine will go to the State Water Board in Sacramento, where the funds are used to assist disadvantaged communities with drinking water issues per the governor’s direction. The other half of the fine stays local, where it will be used to assist local disadvantaged communities with drinking water issues and help local agencies to manage groundwater sustainably, according to Thomas.

The city upgraded its treatment plant to improve its operation and prevent future discharge issues.

The environmental impacts were likely minimal to none for these violations, according to Thomas. “These types of violations trigger mandatory fines per state law, regardless of environmental impact.”

This is not the first time that the city has been levied by fines. In 2013 the city paid $321,000 agreed to Central Coast Regional Water Board for similar violations.

To view the expedited payment letter sent to the city in August that details the violations by clicking here.

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About the author: News Staff

The news staff of the Paso Robles Daily News wrote or edited this story from local contributors and press releases. The news staff can be reached at info@pasoroblesdailynews.com.