The settlement comes after EPA inspectors found that the
facility's lab equipment was improperly calibrated for more than
five years and therefore unable to detect accurate concentration
levels of hazardous chemicals.
The landfill has been heavily criticized by environmentalists
and Kettleman City residents, who blame the dump for causing health
problems.
EPA officials, however, say the violations don't pose a health
threat.
NOTE: Earlier this year, Capital Public Radio
News presented a 3-part investigative series examining
this issue. View our special website for
the
series here.