The owner of a Santa Maria gas station has agreed to pay more than $15,000 in fines after environmental violations.
Saleem Patel is the owner of Spirit Gasoline in Santa Maria, located off South Broadway.
Inspectors found multiple gas-leak detection sensors in the underground fuel tank system that were elevated. This makes the sensors incapable of early detection of a fuel leak.
The Santa Barbara County district attorney says these violations can threaten health and the environment.
Patel has cooperated with authorities and performed necessary upgrades. He will also have to pay $15,000 in civil penalties and $1,710 as reimbursement for the investigation and enforcement costs.
