CHICAGO (Legal Newsline) - Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan announced a lawsuit Wednesday against a Bureau County food processor for allegedly discharging wastewater into a local sewer and dumping dairy waste on public property.
Avanti Foods allegedly discharged high concentrations of wastewater into the sewer system for the village of Walnut and dumped dairy waste in a field just north of the village. An Illinois Environmental Protection Agency inspector observed an Avanti tank truck discharging dairy waste from the plant on the field in November 2011.
After issuing a violation notice to Avanti, the IEPA followed up with the Walnut-based facility in March 2012 and observed dairy residue in sewer inlets, near floor drains and in floor drains that could contaminate the storm sewer system.
"Our office will pursue this case to ensure the company is held accountable for violating state public health and environmental laws," Madigan said.
Madigan's lawsuit, which was filed in Bureau County Circuit Court, alleges Avanti Foods engaged in open dumping on public property, water pollution and permit violations. Madigan requests that the court issue the standard statutory maximum civil penalty on all 10 counts.
Evan McGinley, the assistant attorney general, is handling the matter for Madigan's Environmental Bureau.
Illinois AG announces suit against food processor
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