Lakeview Packing Corp. of Snowhill, N.C., recently pleaded guilty to violating the Clean Water Act. When sentenced, the defendant faces a maximum fine of $1 million.
The hog slaughter and processing company admitted to conspiring with its employees to intentionally discharge processing wastes and human wastes from its facility through a drainage pipe into Tyson Marsh which empties into Contentnea Creek, a tributary of the Neuse River. The amount discharged averaged 30,000 gallons per day.
The discharge of animal processing and human wastes into surface waters can make them unsafe for drinking and recreation and can promote the growth of microorganisms such as pfisteria which can be harmful to fish, wildlife and humans.
The case was investigated by EPA's Criminal Investigation Division and the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation with the assistance of EPA's National Enforcement Investigations Center. It is being prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney's Office in Greenville.
Source: EPA