The Hawai‘i Department of Health has taken action against IES Downstream LLC, a petroleum company in ‘Ele‘ele, Kaua‘i, for violating state hazardous waste management rules. The company faces a fine and is required to take corrective actions. The Hawai‘i Department of Health cited the company for two counts of unauthorized hazardous waste storage and one count for failing to properly determine if the waste was hazardous, according to the Hawai‘i Department of Health.
During a recent inspection, 27 containers were found in disrepair and mislabeled. The Hawai‘i Department of Health inspector noted that the containers, reportedly holding hazardous waste, lacked the required "Hazardous Waste" labels and hazard indicators. Regulations specify that such waste must be stored in closed, sound containers made of non-reactive materials. IES, which was temporarily storing its own waste, did not meet the criteria needed to qualify for an exemption from these storage regulations.
The Notice of Violation and Order given to IES includes a fine of $108,140 for three violations and requires the company to take corrective actions, including better employee training to prevent future noncompliance. IES has 20 days to respond by either contesting or complying with the order. The Hawai‘i Department of Health’s Solid and Hazardous Waste Branch oversees hazardous waste management in Hawai‘i, including its generation, transport, treatment, and disposal. The branch also works with regulated entities and supports the cleanup of contaminated sites.
