Bay Area sugar company agrees to pay $500K for causing 'rotten egg' smell

"In 2023, Crockett residents filed a class action suit against C&H for releasing noxious odors from its wastewater treatment plant onto their properties. In the complaint, one neighbor reported that she was "not able to keep windows or doors open for air flow" and that "the smell doesn't allow for outdoor activities without nausea." She described the smell as "rotten egg or sulfur." The issue was exacerbated by high temperatures in Crockett at the time, according to the DA's office."

"An investigation by the Bay Area Air District found that C&H Sugar committed various emissions violations between Sept. 8 and Oct. 14, 2022. The case was then referred to the DA's office for enforcement action. The company agree to pay $400,000 in civil penalties and $100,000 in reimbursement costs. In addition to the financial penalties, C&H Sugar also agreed to purchase and install a backup generator for the wasterwater treatment plant, upgrade the facility's blowers, establish a 24-hour community hotline and other compliance measures."

""C&H Sugar was cooperative throughout the process and agreed to specific enhanced compliance measures," said District Attorney Diana Becton in the press release. SFGATE could not reach C&H for comment in time for publication. It's not the first time C&H has been accused of pollution. The California Regional Water Quality Control Board told SFGATE in 2022 that C&H paid a total of $1,588,700 in fines over the past 20 years, and was penalized by the agency 11 times between 2002 and 2020."

C&H Sugar settled with Contra Costa County over excessive sewage odors originating from its Crockett wastewater treatment plant and agreed to pay $400,000 in civil penalties plus $100,000 in reimbursement costs. A Bay Area Air District investigation found emissions violations between Sept. 8 and Oct. 14, 2022, and referred the case to the District Attorney. The settlement requires a backup generator, upgraded blowers, a 24-hour community hotline, and other compliance measures. Crockett residents filed a 2023 class action describing sulfur-like odors that caused nausea and prevented opening windows.

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