Santa Paula, CA – William James Mitzel, former Chief Executive Officer of Santa Clara Waste Water Company (SCWWC), has been sentenced following a lengthy investigation into a 2014 explosion and subsequent regulatory violations. The case, jointly investigated by the Ventura County District Attorney’s Bureau of Investigation and the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), revealed a pattern of negligence and deliberate oversight regarding hazardous materials handling and worker safety.
The investigation stemmed from an explosion on November 18, 2014, at SCWWC’s facility on Mission Rock Road. Authorities determined the blast was caused by the improper mixing and disposal of hazardous chemicals into a vacuum truck not designed for chemical transport. The incident resulted in injuries to multiple SCWWC employees and responding first responders, many suffering from exposure to toxic vapors released at the scene. The fallout from the explosion prompted a deeper look into SCWWC’s safety protocols and regulatory compliance.
During a search warrant execution in November 2015, investigators discovered approximately 5,500 gallons of sodium hydroxide, commonly known as Petromax, stored in a locked shipping container. Crucially, company officials had failed to report the presence of this hazardous material to the California Environmental Reporting System (CERS) since 2013, a clear violation of state regulations. As CEO, Mitzel bore responsibility for ensuring the company adhered to these reporting requirements, and investigators found a systemic failure to establish adequate procedures for chemical disclosure.
On July 25, 2017, Mitzel pleaded no contest to misdemeanor charges including failure to update a business plan within the mandated 30-day timeframe, failure to update a hazardous materials inventory, interference with the enforcement of regulations, and a critical violation of labor safety standards – specifically, failing to provide necessary personal protective devices to SCWWC employees. The charges highlighted a disregard for both environmental protection and the well-being of the workforce.
Penalties and Restitution
Ventura County District Attorney Gregory D. Totten announced that Mitzel was sentenced to three years of probation. A key component of the sentence prohibits Mitzel from personally engaging in any certifications to public agencies related to worker safety, hazardous waste manifests, emergency response plans, or environmental compliance sampling. Furthermore, Mitzel was ordered to pay $350,000 in victim restitution, with the Ventura County District Attorney’s Office and the California Attorney General’s Office coordinating the distribution of funds to those injured in the incident and affected by the hazardous material mismanagement.
Key Facts
- Defendant: William James Mitzel
- Company: Santa Clara Waste Water Company (SCWWC)
- Incident Date: November 18, 2014 (explosion)
- Location: Santa Paula, California
- Statutes Violated: Failure to update business plan, hazardous materials inventory, interference with enforcement, and violation of labor safety standards.
- Hazardous Material: Approximately 5,500 gallons of sodium hydroxide (Petromax)
- Penalties: Three years’ probation, prohibition from certifying safety protocols, $350,000 in victim restitution.
This case serves as a stark reminder of the critical importance of responsible hazardous materials management and the legal repercussions for corporate officers who prioritize profit over safety and regulatory compliance. The EPA and local authorities continue to emphasize the need for proactive safety measures and transparent reporting to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database
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