Campbell Soup Company Admits to Exceeding Pollution Limits in Ohio River Discharges
RICHMOND,CA – Campbell Soup Company has acknowledged exceeding permitted discharge โฃlimits for pollutantsโข into theโฃ ohio River,violating federal environmental regulations,according to reports and statements from environmental advocacy groups. The company’s wastewater โdischarges, containing phosphorus and other pollutants, contribute to harmful algal bloomsโฃ and threaten aquatic life in the western basin of Lake erie.
The โissue centers around the company’s manufacturing facility in Napoleon, Ohio. Between spring 2017 and โspring 2021, Campbell’s averaged 5.5 million gallons of daily โฃwastewaterโค flow, belowโฃ the 10 million gallon daily permit limit,โค but still contributingโค to overall phosphorus levels in the Maumee River watershed, which feeds into Lake Erie.
“It’s this nasty, green slimeโฃ that covers โคa huge portion of theโ western part of Lake Erie,” said John Rumpler, a representative โขof the environmental groups concerned about โthe discharges. “It is incredibly toxic to humans and wildlife and pets.”
The Environmental โคProtection agency (EPA) states that excessive phosphorus leads to algal overgrowth,depleting dissolved โoxygen,producing harmful toxins,blockingโข sunlight for underwater โplants,and degrading aquatic habitats. Sources of phosphorus pollution include fertilizers, urban runoff,โ failing septic systems, and discharges from wastewater treatment โคplants.
A โJune 2023 โtechnical report fromโข the Ohio EPA detailed โthe permitted discharge โฃlevels and Campbell’s ancient flows.The company has reportedly acknowledged the need to improve its pollution control measures.
“They know this is a problem,” Rumpler said. โ”They knowโ that โฃthey need to solve it. It is a question of exactly how much money is going โto be involved and what do they need to do to ensure โขthat this pollution comes down to where it โขneeds to be.”
The long-term health โof Lake Erie hasโ been a concern for decades, with nutrient pollution – particularly phosphorus – identified asโ a major โคdriverโ of harmful algal blooms. โขThese โbloomsโค can impact drinking water supplies, recreational activities, and the overallโ ecosystem.
Campbell’s has not yet released a detailed plan outlining specific steps toโข address theโ discharge โissues.