EPA Steps in to Stop Slaughterhouse Waste from Entering the Aguas Creek in Aibonito, PR
Aibonito, PR - U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) collaborated with the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to respond to concerns about a lagoon overflowing with discharge from a slaughterhouse in Aibonito, Puerto Rico. EPA inspected and, within two weeks, issued an order under the Clean Water Act (CWA) that resulted in the facility fixing the immediate issue and stopping the discharge.
“EPA is on the job, performing inspections and working diligently to ensure that facilities meet their statutory obligations,” said EPA Regional Administrator Michael Martucci. “In this case, the action needed was clear. By acting quickly and working closely with our federal partner, we were able to stop the discharge almost immediately and protect a waterway that communities use for drinking water.”
After receiving a notice from USDA about the visible discharge, EPA inspected the facility and found a severely eroded berm that was designed to hold discharge in but, instead, was allowing animal fluids and other wastewater to flow directly into Aguas Creek. EPA’s administrative order required the operator of the facility to repair the berm in the short term and comply with its CWA obligations. The operator quickly complied with the short-term measures, ending the water contamination issue. EPA is now working on long-term solutions to ensure residents and nearby communities continue to have clean water.
EPA remains committed to helping businesses and municipalities meet environmental standards while fostering economic growth and protecting human health. Through training, technical guidance, and case-by-base problem solving, EPA works with facilities to fulfill its core mission of protecting human health and the environment, while simultaneously helping businesses thrive.
More information about EPA’s Clean Water Act permits is available at https://www.epa.gov/npdes/stormwater-discharges-construction-activities.
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