Class cleanup act

In a remarkable example of corporate responsibility, ABB Inc., a multinational, technology-based provider of power and automation systems based in Zurich, has agreed to spend more than $2 million to connect some 63 residences in the Skyway subdivision, off Hegan Lane in south Chico, to California Water Service lines.

The houses currently have private wells, but the groundwater is polluted with cleaning solvents, the result of dumping more than 30 years ago by C-E Building Systems, a long-defunct company that made aluminum shower products. ABB inherited responsibility when it purchased the company that once owned C-E, even though ABB had nothing to do with the dumping.

The state Department of Toxic Substances Control will hold a public meeting regarding the project today (Jan. 10) beginning at 6:30 p.m. A representative from ABB will be on hand to answer questions.