SOLAR TURBINES OWNS AND OPERATES A FACILITY THAT MANUFACTURES COMPONENTS FOR GAS TURBINE ENGINES. AS PART OF ITS OPERATION IN CONDUCTS METAL FINISHING OPERATIONS. IT DISCHARGES INDUSTRIAL PROCESS WASTEWATER FROM THIS FACILITY TO THE CITY OF SAN DIEGO'S POINT LOMA TREATMENT PLANT. SINCE FEBRUARY 15, 1986, ALL EXISITING METAL FINISHERS THAT DISCHARGE TO SEWAGE TREATMENT PLANTS HAVE BEEN REQUIRED TO COMPLY WITH PRETREATMENT STANDARDS GOVERNING THE CHARACTER OF THEIR INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER. SOLAR TURBINES HAS VIOLATED NUMERICAL CONCENTRATION-BASED LIMITS GOVERNING ITS WASTEWATER QUALITY ON AT LEAST 471 OCCASINOS. THESE REQUIREMENTS ARE SET OUT AT 40 C.F.R. 433.15. SOLAR TURBINES HAS VIOLATED A REGULATORY PROHIBITION AGAINST DILUTING ITS WASTESTREAM TO COMPLY WITH THESE NUMERICAL CONCENTRATION-BASED LIMITS. SOLAR TURBINES HAS RECENTLY INSTALLED TREATMENT EQUIPMENT THAT SHOULD ENABLE IT TO COMPLY WITH EPA'S PRETREATMENT REQUIREMENTS. REGION 9 IS SEEKING A CONSENT DECREE THAT WILL ASSESS PENALTIES FOR SOLAR TURBINES' PAST VIOLATIONS, AND ENSURE THAT SOLAR TURBINES REMAINS IN COMPLIANCE WITH EPA'S PRETREATMENT REQUIREMENTS.