McMinnville, OR (8/13/2018) — The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has fined Cooperative Regions of Organic Producer Pools $7,800 for discharging wastes from a creamery off Highway 99 N. in McMinnville into waters of the state.

On April 4, 2018, a silo at the Organic Valley McMinnville Creamery overflowed and spilled about 7,500 gallons of process wastewater into the storm drainage system leading to an unnamed tributary of the South Yamhill River.

DEQ issued the penalty because wastewater that contains dairy products, particularly in large quantities, may decrease the oxygen level in water harming fish and other aquatic life. The fine also took into account previous spills at the facility. Since the April 2018 spill, the creamery took steps to ensure that the violation does not recur including installing an alarm on the silo.

The company has appealed the penalty.

View the enforcement letter at:
https://www.oregon.gov/deq/nr/081318orgvalley.pdf

Contact Katherine Benenati, Public Affairs Specialist, Eugene, 541-686-7997, benenati.katherine@deq.state.or.us