Toledo, OH – In response to court documents filed by multiple environmental agencies, Campbell Soup Supply Co. has admitted to violating the Clean Water Act.
A joint lawsuit was filed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Lake Erie Waterkeeper and Environment Ohio in March 2024. The suit alleged violations of wastewater dumping of pollutants into the Maumee River at least 5,400 times between April 2018 and December 2024.
The company dumped various pollutants into the river, such as ammonia, E. coli bacteria, oil, grease, suspended solids and phosphorus. According to Environment Ohio, phosphorus raises the biggest concern as it feeds toxic algae blooms. These blooms can cause cyanobacteria in drinking water, while also proving potentially harmful to lake-goers.
While Campbell admitted the violations, it refuted the negative effects. The company said its facility is allowed point source discharge of phosphorus into the waterway, which it self-reports and is publicly available.
But although the Environmental Protection Agency reported that the plant was a non-major contributor to pollution, the joint stipulation requires Campbell to agree not to challenge the violations. Furthermore, the company must admit that citizen groups were harmed, all of which would allow them rights to sue for further enforcement of the Clean Water Act.
The environmental agencies expect a trial next year to determine proper penalties, the anticipated goal includes a new requirement to reduce waste emissions as well as a proper financial penalty for the company’s years of misconduct.