“A $16,000 fine to Port-O-Let Services for sending raw sewage down the wrong drain in Tacoma last summer has been reduced to $12,000 by the state Department of Ecology. Ecology reduced the penalty because of Port-O-Let Services’ lack of prior violations and because additional information was provided that revealed there was no economic benefit for Port-O-Let Services’ not complying with environmental regulations. Last July 5 and 6, Port-O-Let Services improperly dumped about 3,600 gallons of raw sewage into manholes connected to a stormwater system that drains into Commencement Bay at Owens Beach. Workers incorrectly assumed the manholes were connected to the city sewer system as they disposed toilet waste from the Taste of Tacoma at Point Defiance Park.The portable-toilet company should have transported the waste to Tacoma’s central wastewater-treatment plant. The company has 30 days to appeal the reduced penalty to the state Pollution Control Hearings Board.”