Wal-Mart pleads guilty to breaching Clean Water Act and fined $81.6m

Wal-Mart Stores has pleaded guilty in the US District Court, San Francisco, to six counts of violating the Clean Water Act.

The cases were filed by the federal prosecutors in Los Angeles and San Francisco, stating that the retail company has mishandled and disposed hazardous materials at its retail stores across the country.

Wal-Mart agreed that it had not properly handled pesticides returned by customers at its stores and violated the Federal Insecticide, Fungicide and Rodenticide Act (FIFRA).

As per the documents filed in the US District Court, Wal-Mart did not have a an appropriate programme in place to train its employees on how to manage hazardous waste and disposal practices at the store level.

The lack of proper knowledge on handlling hazardous waste lead to the materials being thrown in municipal bins, or liquids poured in local sewers, ultimately leading to water contamination.

As a result of the three criminal cases brought by the Justice Department, and a related civil case filed by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the retail company will have to pay a penalty of $81.6m.

US Justice Department Environment and Natural Resources Division assistant attorney general Ignacia S Moreno said by improperly handling hazardous waste, pesticides and other materials in violation of federal laws, Wal-Mart put the public and the environment at risk.

"Today, Wal-Mart acknowledged responsibility for violations of federal laws and will pay significant fines and penalties, which will, in part, fund important environmental projects in the communities impacted by the violations and help prevent future harm to the environment," Moreno said.

US Missouri Western District attorney Tammy Dickinson added: "Today’s criminal fine should send a message to companies of all sizes that they will be held accountable to follow federal environmental laws."

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Image: Wal-Mart Stores will have to pay a penalty of about $81.6m for mishandling and disposing hazardous wastes at its stores in the US. Photo: courtesy of Sven.