Seven-Up/RC Bottling, Pollution, CA 2006

Los Angeles, CA – Seven-Up/RC Bottling Company of Southern California has been slapped with over $1 million in fines and restitution after pleading guilty to polluting the Los Angeles River. The case, investigated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), revealed a pattern of illegal discharges from the company’s bottling plants in 2002 and 2003.

According to court documents, Seven-Up knowingly released pollutants directly into the river, including grease, petroleum by-products, and residual acid drink products. The EPA’s investigation confirmed consistent violations of federal clean water regulations, prompting a 12-count criminal indictment in November 2005. The charges centered on exceeding permitted effluent limitations and failing to meet toxic and pretreatment effluent standards.

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Timeline of Events

The legal proceedings moved swiftly after the initial charges. On April 3, 2006, Seven-Up entered a guilty plea to all 12 counts. That same day, the court handed down a comprehensive sentence designed to punish the company and remediate the environmental damage. The sentencing included both criminal and civil penalties, as well as mandated environmental improvements at the bottling facilities.

Legal Ramifications & Penalties

Seven-Up was ordered to pay a $600,000 criminal penalty. A significant portion of this fine – half the total – will be directed towards vital environmental projects overseen by organizations including Channel Islands National Parks, the National Marine Fisheries Service, Los Angeles County, and the California Hazardous Materials Association. Beyond the criminal fine, the company was also assessed a $428,250 civil penalty. Additional costs included a $1,459 special assessment fee and $40,000 in restitution paid to local agencies impacted by the pollution.

Statutes Violated

The violations stemmed from breaches of the Clean Water Act (CWA). Specifically, Seven-Up was found to have contravened 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(A), relating to effluent limitations, and 33 U.S.C. 1317(b), which addresses toxic and pretreatment effluent standards. These statutes are designed to protect the nation’s waterways from harmful pollutants discharged by industrial facilities. GrimyTimes has learned that the EPA’s focus in this case was on the company’s failure to properly treat wastewater before releasing it into the environment, resulting in a visible and potentially dangerous impact on the Los Angeles River ecosystem.

Key Facts

Defendant: Seven-Up/RC Bottling Company of Southern California
Crime: Illegal discharge of pollutants into the Los Angeles River
State: California
Year: 2006
Pollutants: Grease, petroleum by-products, and acid drink products
Total Penalties: Over $1 million (including fines, restitution, and environmental improvements)
Statutes Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(A) & 33 U.S.C. 1317(b)

This case serves as a stark reminder that environmental regulations are not merely suggestions, but legally binding requirements. The EPA continues to aggressively pursue companies that prioritize profit over environmental protection, and this outcome sends a clear message that such behavior will not be tolerated.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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