A Tacoma radiator shop has been fined $40,000 for “dangerous waste violations,” according to the state Department of Ecology.
Performance Radiator, 2705 South Tacoma Way, is working to fix a 3-by-3-foot hole in the floor of the shop that was allowing high levels of lead, copper and zinc to leak in to the environment.
The repair shop is in the South Tacoma Groundwater Protection District and is adjacent to a well.
The company is working to fix the problem and has removed nine cubic yards of dirt, said Tim Pavolka, the shop’s general manager.
“This area of concern was entirely under the footprint of our building, which is located in an old industrial area,” he said.
The Ecology Department became aware of the issue in November 2010 and ordered Performance Radiator to fix the problem, which started as a leaking drain sump that was allowing the sludge-like materials to leak into the ground.
The shop removed the sump in October 2011 but left a hole in the floor through which toxins continued to get through into the soil, according to Ecology Department officials.
The department ordered the business to stop using the area near the hole in June 2012 and fined it when employees failed to prevent the waste from leaking into the ground.
stacia.glenn@ thenewstribune.com
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