EPA Sues Two Companies for Massive Fish Kill in Indiana

Dec. 28, 2000
On April 27, the Department of Justice filed suit against Guide Corp., Anderson, Ind., and Crown Environmental Group, Inc., Dayton, Ohio, for violating the Clean Water Act.

The companies allegedly discharged toxic pollutants into the White River and caused one of the largest fish kills in Indiana history. The pollutants from the Guide facility were discharged into the local wastewater treatment plant, disrupting plant operations and causing pollutants to enter the White River.

Guide is one of the world's largest manufacturers of automotive lighting. Crown Environmental was hired to operate Guide's wastewater treatment plant. It is also alleged that the defendants violated federal and local wastewater pretreatment standards by failing to notify the sewage plant about the changes in their operations and the pollutants they discharged into the plant.

The complaint seeks to restore the river and to undo the damage done to the fish populations and other aquatic life. The complaint also seeks civil penalties.

The complaint was filed in U.S. District Court in Indianapolis

SOURCE: U.S. Environmental Protection Agency