An environmental group sues the Port of Los Angeles for repeatedly breaking the Clean Water Act.

The Port of Los Angeles was recently sued by Environment California for going against the law in discharging wastewater into San Pedro Bay for years. The lawsuit, filed on July 23, claims that the port's wastewater pump station discharged copper, toxic substances, and fecal germs into the bay on many occasions in violation of Clean Water Act regulations.

Above 2,000 instances in the last five years of discharge limitations being violated, according to the environmental group. Wastewater was apparently released untreated in certain instances. The state head of Environment California, Laura Deehan, questioned the port's strategy, asking, "If a well-funded city department pollutes in violation of its Clean Water Act permit limits, how can we hold them accountable?"

It is claimed that the port's treatment system, which was built to manage groundwater and runoff at Terminal Island, is insufficient. The port, according to Environment California, has chosen a "pay-to-pollute" approach, paying small fines rather than dealing with the pollution problem.

The Port of Los Angeles said that it is addressing the issues and is working on changes, having invested $2.5 million in the last ten years and another $2.6 million scheduled for the next three years.