FALLBROOK : Toilet Firm Pleads Guilty to Pollution

A Fallbrook portable toilet company and its Vista manager pleaded guilty Monday to one count of illegal discharge of pollutants, court officials said in a statement.

Employees of America West Services Corp. washed iodine into Fallbrook Creek on June 27, after two drums had spilled from a company truck, the statement said.

The corporation, also known as Port-a-John, will pay an $8,000 fine, make restitution and contribute $4,500 to the California Department of Fish and Game’s pollution abatement fund.

The manager, Arthur Pickering was sentenced to two years’ probation, 100 community service hours, and a fine of $2,500.

Iodine is often used as a disinfectant because of its bacteria-killing properties, a San Diego County health spokeswoman said.

The iodine could kill fish and other wildlife. Iodine differs from its chemical derivative, iodide, which is added to salt to prevent thyroid problems.