Nutrien AG Solutions Inc. faces a Clean Water Act lawsuit filed by an environmental group that alleges that the fertilizer company polluted nearby waterways, according to Bloomberg Law. Central Valley Eden Environmental Defenders LLC claims that Nutrien AG stores industrial materials outdoors, exposing them to stormwater and contaminating the surrounding watershed.
The polluted water then flows into the lower Mokelumne River, the group claimed in its lawsuit, filed Wednesday, Dec. 7, in the US District Court for the Central District of California.
Nutrien failed to implement a sufficient Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plan and has an inadequate monitoring program at its facility, in violation of its General Permit requirements, the group said.
The plaintiffs are seeking an injunction ordering Nutrien to immediately operate its facility in compliance with permitting requirements, enjoin Nutrien from discharging pollutants to surface waters surrounding its facility, civil penalties of $56,460 per day per violation, attorneys’ fees and other litigation costs.
“Nutrien is committed to conducting business with integrity. While we are aware of the claims filed on this matter and are reviewing the complaint, because it involves ongoing litigation, we are unable to comment further at this time,” a Nutrien spokesman told Green Markets.