California sues Chiquita Canyon landfill operators over hazardous waste releases

LOS ANGELES — California Attorney General Rob Bonta and the state Department of Toxic Substances Control (DTSC) filed a lawsuit against Waste Connections and other owners and operators of the Chiquita Canyon Landfill, alleging repeated failures to manage hazardous waste at the site.

The lawsuit alleges violations of multiple sections of the state Hazardous Waste Control Law. It seeks civil penalties, disgorgement, and injunctive and other equitable relief, including an abatement fund, the attorney general's office said.

The office said a subsurface elevated temperature event at the 639-acre landfill in Los Angeles County began in May 2022. It said the event produces millions of gallons of leachate, a contaminated liquid, and that the landfill spilled 8,000 gallons of hazardous leachate on Nov 14, 2025. Stormwater mixed with leachate was released to Castaic Creek on Dec 29 and 30, 2025, according to the office. "Waste Connections has repeatedly, consistently and pervasively failed to lawfully manage hazardous waste at the Chiquita Canyon Landfill," California Environmental Protection Secretary Yana Garcia said.