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Department of Ecology Press Release - December 21, 2005
05-301
OLYMPIA - A Lynden business faces a $60,000 fine from the state for violating water-quality permit standards and failing to meet monitoring and reporting requirements.
The Department of Ecology (Ecology) took the action against WestFarm Foods (WFF), Inc., which operates a powdered milk production plant in Lynden. WFF discharges into the City of Lynden's wastewater treatment plant.
Between December 2003 and May 2005, WFF violated its permit guidelines for discharge of suspended solids, pH, and oxygen-demanding material. These limits are placed on WFF's discharges to ensure that the Lynden sewage treatment plant is able to effectively treat domestic wastewater from the City of Lynden and industrial wastewaters from sources such as WestFarm Foods. Improper maintenance and operations were the most likely cause of the violations.
In addition, WFF violated certain monitoring and reporting requirements set forth in its water quality permit.
WFF violated its permit 25 times for pollutant discharge standards, 24 times for monitoring, and 22 times for reporting. Ecology has issued numerous enforcement actions against WFF during the past five years.
"We are hopeful that Westfarm Foods will recognize the importance of complying with their permit for industrial discharge," said Kevin Fitzpatrick, a manager in Ecology's water quality program. "Their record of non-compliance has created a higher risk of an upset condition developing at the Lynden sewage treatment plant. Such an upset could result in unacceptable levels of pollution discharging to the Nooksack River."
The owners have 30 days to apply for relief and/or appeal the penalty.
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Contact: Larry Altose, public information manager, 425-649-7009
Copyright © Washington State Department of Ecology. See http://www.ecy.wa.gov/copyright.html.
