The Western Digital Corporation facility, located in Fremont, CA, is a wafer fabrication facility. As a result of the manufacuring process, various hazardous wastes are generated, including spent solvents and corrosives. An inspection conducted by EPA in December 2010 identified various violations of the hazardous waste requirments. These violations included the failure to properly label and close containers, failure to control tank emissions, failure to adequately train personnel, failure to monitor equipment associated with the hazardous waste storage tank, failure to provide an adequate contingency plan, and failure to provide a leak detection system.
As a result, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency fined Western Digital Corporation $62,500 for the improper management of hazardous waste at its Fremont facility.