Warren, Ohio-Claims of leaching into a nearby river haven’t shut down production of Nature’s Blend fertilizer at the Warren wastewater treatment plant, according to city officials. “We did have some cause for concern at one point,” stated Tom Angelo, city pollution control director. “But we’re still operating and continue to deliver to our customer base.” Angelo said he’s writing a response to the Ohio Environmental Protection Agency, which is threatening fines of up to $60,000 a day if leachate from the Nature’s Blend plant into the Mahoning River isn’t stopped. Angelo wouldn’t say what he’s going to tell Ohio EPA, but he told the local press that there is no runoff into the river. According to an Aug. 4 letter from the Ohio EPA, the violations stem from an undocumented stockpile behind the plant where leaves and treated sewage are put out to dry for use in the Nature’s Blend fertilizer. The EPA claims that leachate from these piles can enter an “outfall” area that drains into the Mahoning. He also declined to comment on reports that the local police are investigating whether some of the fertilizer was moved from the stockpile against an EPA order. Angelo said a trench dug around the stockpile is catching runoff, and the city’s own testing at the site indicated no pollutants were entering the river. The Nature’s Blend product line is being supplied to the Giant Eagle grocery store chain, with distribution to approximately 200 stores in three states. In the meantime, Warren is continuing to explore new distribution opportunities and has expanded its Nature’s Blend Partnership Program, which unites cities across the country and promotes the acceptance of Nature’s Blend. The latest addition to the program is O’Fallon, Mo.
Transparency Across the Fertilizer Value-Chain