Jacam Manufacturing, LLC, Environmental Crimes, Kansas 2016

Sterling, KS – Jacam Manufacturing, LLC, a chemical manufacturer based in Sterling, Kansas, has been convicted of federal environmental crimes stemming from the illegal disposal of hazardous waste into a saltwater disposal well. The company pleaded guilty in December 2015 and was sentenced to pay a $1 million fine, according to a Department of Justice press release.

The investigation, spearheaded by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Kansas Department of Health and Environment, revealed that Jacam knowingly circumvented environmental regulations by injecting acetone, benzene, and other dangerous chemicals into a well permitted solely for the disposal of saltwater—a byproduct of oil and gas operations. This practice posed a significant threat to the state’s underground aquifers, a crucial source of drinking water for communities across Kansas.

Federal prosecutors detailed how Jacam’s actions directly violated both the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA). The Safe Drinking Water Act specifically identifies saltwater disposal wells as potential conduits for groundwater contamination, requiring stringent oversight. RCRA, meanwhile, establishes a comprehensive “cradle-to-grave” system for managing hazardous waste, ensuring its safe handling from creation to final disposal. Jacam’s deliberate disregard for these regulations constituted a serious breach of public trust and environmental safety.

The illicit disposal wasn’t merely a case of negligence; authorities confirmed Jacam *knew* the waste they were injecting was hazardous. By utilizing a saltwater disposal well for chemicals it wasn’t designed to handle, the company avoided the significantly higher costs and regulatory burdens associated with proper hazardous waste treatment and disposal. This cost-cutting measure, however, placed Kansas’s vital water resources at risk.

U.S. Attorney Barry Grissom lauded the collaborative effort between federal and state agencies in bringing Jacam to justice. “Protecting our nation’s water supply is a top priority,” Grissom stated. “This case demonstrates that those who put our environment at risk will be held accountable.” The substantial fine levied against Jacam serves as a deterrent to other companies considering similar illegal practices.

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Key Facts

Defendant: Jacam Manufacturing, LLC
Location: Sterling, Kansas
Crime: Illegal disposal of hazardous waste
Statutes Violated: 42 U.S.C. 6928(d)(2)(A) (Safe Drinking Water Act), 42 U.S.C. 300h-2(b)(2) (Resource Conservation and Recovery Act)
Penalty: $1,000,000 fine
Date of Plea: December 22, 2015

The case underscores the ongoing need for vigilant environmental enforcement and the crucial role of interagency cooperation in safeguarding public health and the environment. While the financial penalty is significant, the long-term impacts of the contamination, if any, will require continued monitoring of the affected groundwater resources.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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