Astoria septic company fined

Jan. 25—An Astoria septic pumping service has been fined by the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality for improper disposal of septic tank contents.

North West Septic was fined over $7,000 for pumping septage back into a septic tank and releasing septage onto the ground at a residential property in Astoria in August, the department said in a letter to the business.

Ryan Lyles, the owner of the company, said he was called for emergency service at the residential property. According to Lyles, he pulled septage out of their tank, but after the residents said they would not pay him, he dumped it back into their tank, which led to leakage.

Lyles said it was a bad decision, but that he plans to fight the fine.