Gas Station Owners to Pay Fine, Clean Up Soil Leak to Settle Suit

The owners of a Westminster gas station settled an environmental protection lawsuit by paying a $15,000 fine and agreeing to clean up soil contamination caused by leaking storage tanks, prosecutors announced Wednesday.

Defendants Luan Duc Nguyen and Loi Duc Nguyen, who operated the gas station at 9372 Westminster Blvd., failed to properly monitor underground tanks before they closed their business, according to the Orange County Health Care Agency, which oversees tank inspections.

Testing at the site revealed oil and gas tank contamination, although people living or working in the area are not considered at risk, officials said.

The lawsuit alleges the defendants violated the California Underground Storage Tank law. Enacted in 1983, the law aims to keep underground storage tanks operating properly and protect the soil and ground water from potential contamination.

The defendants, who could not be reached for comment Wednesday, did not admit liability as part of the settlement, but agreed to the terms of a permanent injunction. It requires them to dispose of the tanks and clean up soil contamination.

The $15,000 fine covers civil penalties and the cost of the investigation, according to a statement released by the Orange County district attorney’s office.