government
Former employee claims Odessa company dumped hazardous chemicals; state opens investigation
By Sierra Burnett at CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com)
· July 8, 2026
· 2 min read
ODESSA, Texas (KOSA) - A former employee of West Texas Cementers says the company has been dumping hazardous chemicals onto public land, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has opened an investigation into the allegations.Enrique Godinez, who has worked in the oilfield for 17 years,...
Key takeaway Enrique Godinez, who has worked in the oilfield for 17 years, said he was fired from West Texas Cementers last month after raising safety concerns about the dumping.
Why this matters in The Odessa
The allegations against West Texas Cementers have significant implications for the Odessa community, where the oilfield industry is a major employer and economic driver. If the claims of hazardous chemical dumping are substantiated, it could pose a risk to public health and the environment, particularly for residents living near the alleged dumping site. The fact that a former employee claims to have witnessed the disposal of chemicals like hydrochloric acid and xylene on public land raises concerns about the company's safety protocols and potential contamination of soil and water. The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality's investigation will be closely watched by local residents, who will be looking for assurance that the company is held accountable for any wrongdoing and that measures are taken to prevent similar incidents in the future. The outcome of the investigation could also have implications for the oilfield industry as a whole in the Permian Basin region.
About this story
Original reporting by CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) . The Odessa surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: government ·
Published: July 8, 2026 ·
Source: CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ODESSA, Texas (KOSA) - A former employee of West Texas Cementers says the company has been dumping hazardous chemicals onto public land, and the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality has opened an investigation into the allegations.Enrique Godinez, who has worked in the oilfield for 17 years,...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 8, 2026 by CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com) and curated for The Odessa readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Sierra Burnett at CBS7 / KOSA-TV News (firstalert7.com). To learn more about how The Odessa selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more government coverage from The Odessa, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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