Chehalis, WA Farm Fined For Dumping Slaughterhouse Wastewater

According to the Washington Department of Ecology, a western Washington business illegally dumped millions of gallons of untreated slaughterhouse wastewater over a three-year period near the Chehalis River.

Ecology has issued an $876,000 penalty to Chehalis-area County L Farms, LLC, owned by Jerry and Nicole Foster, for violating state water pollution laws.  Investigators say the company was paid more than $1.3 million to properly dispose of the waste. 

“What the Fosters did was absolutely illegal,” said Ecology water quality program manager, Jon Kenning.  “This business shortcut is inexcusable. There is a right way to dispose of this type of waste, yet the company chose differently.”

Ecology added the wastewater included animal blood, cleaning chemicals, and other byproducts that can harm water quality, fuel algae growth, and reduce oxygen levels for fish. 

The Fosters now have 30 days to appeal the penalty to the Washington Pollution Control Hearings Board. 

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