REDWOOD CITY – Bay Area prosecutors on Tuesday announced a nearly $1.3 million settlement with cable and internet provider WaveDivision Holdings LLC over environmental violations.
The company, which operates as Astound Broadband in California, was investigated by the California Department of Toxic Substances Control and district attorney’s offices in Contra Costa, San Mateo, San Francisco, Placer, San Luis Obispo and Yolo counties.
Prosecutors said inspections at WaveDivision Holdings facilities revealed the firm was improperly sending hazardous waste – including electronics, silicone gels and batteries – to municipal landfills instead of authorized hazardous waste disposal sites. The disposals violated various state environmental and unfair competition laws.
WaveDivsion Holdings also did not comply with regulations related to hazardous materials, including submission of hazardous materials business plans and ensuring proper employee training for handling of hazardous materials, according to prosecutors.
“The San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office takes environmental violations seriously and strives to hold responsible parties accountable for such violations,” San Mateo County District Attorney Stephen Wagstaffe said in a statement. “We are grateful for the collaborative efforts of the other district attorneys’ offices, as well as the investigators and environmental health partners, who contributed to this result.”
Contra Costa County District Attorney Diane Becton noted that the telecom provider “cooperated with the investigation and has since implemented training programs to properly manage and dispose of hazardous waste, ensuring future compliance.”
Under the settlement agreement, WaveDivision Holdings will pay $875,000 in civil penalties, $300,000 for enforcement costs and $100,000 for supplemental environmental projects.