DEQ penalizes Oregon Cherry Growers in The Dalles $10,600 for wastewater violations
The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has issued a $10,600 penalty to Oregon Cherry Growers, Inc. for exceeding the effluent limits set in its wastewater discharge permit. The company operates a wastewater treatment facility as part of its cherry processing operation at 801 West First Street in The Dalles.
The company’s wastewater permit sets pollution limits on its effluent, which is tested prior to being discharged to the Columbia River. The limits are based on guidelines set by EPA and apply to all discharges in similar industries, which in this case is fruit processers.
Between December 2016 and May 2017, Oregon Cherry Growers exceeded limits for total suspended solids, pH and biochemical oxygen demand.
Total suspended solids refers to matter that can be trapped by a filter and is closely tied to turbidity. Biochemical oxygen demand is the amount of dissolved oxygen in water necessary for biological organisms to break down organic material. The pH of water reflects how acidic or alkaline it is.
DEQ issued the penalty because effluent limits are set to protect water quality and aquatic life.
Oregon Cherry Growers has until July 31, 2017 to appeal the penalty.
View the notice of civil penalty:
https://www.oregon.gov/deq/nr/071417cherry.pdf
Contact:
Greg Svelund, DEQ Public Affairs, Bend, svelund.greg@deq.state.or.us, 541-633-2008