Owner of two Kent Chevron gas stations penalized over $42,000 for repeated safety violations

The Washington Department of Ecology this week issued two penalties totaling more than $42,000 to Mahadev Inc. and the TM Investment Company for repeated violations of state and federal laws regulating underground storage tanks at two Kent gas stations.

These violations include failing to document safety testing and training, and failure to comply with overfill prevention requirements. Underground tanks – like those found at gas stations, industrial sites and commercial properties – are out of sight, but need to be properly inspected and maintained to prevent hazardous materials stored in the tanks from contaminating the surrounding soils and groundwater.

Ecology regulates over 8,500 tanks at more than 3,400 facilities, and inspectors work closely with facility owners to make sure tanks and piping systems are installed, maintained, and monitored to prevent releases of hazardous material into the environment.

Mahadev Inc. and the TM Investment Company are owned by David (Devendra) Malik who is responsible for the two sites identified in the penalty – Central Chevron and Kangley Chevron in Kent. He also owns several other gas stations across King County.

Ecology inspectors have provided education, training, and guidance to Malik across all his sites for more than two decades. Inspections have continued to find violations, increasing the potential for a major release.

“We’ve spent hundreds of hours spanning years trying to gain compliance to no avail,” said Kim Wooten, Ecology’s Northwest region Toxics Cleanup section manager. “David Malik needs to properly maintain and monitor his underground fuel tanks consistent with federal and state laws to ensure the public and environment are protected.”

The penalty may be appealed within 30 days to the Washington Pollution Control Hearings Board.