Crete Core Ingredients, Exceeding Pollutant Levels in Wastewater Discharge, Nebraska 2014

Crete, Nebraska – Crete Core Ingredients, a pet food ingredient processor, has been sentenced to pay a $100,000 fine for violating the federal Clean Water Act, according to court records unsealed this week. The misdemeanor conviction stems from a 2014 incident where the company exceeded permitted pollutant levels in its wastewater discharge, potentially impacting the City of Crete’s water treatment facility.

The investigation, conducted by the Environmental Protection Agency’s Criminal Investigation Division (CID), revealed that Crete Core Ingredients held a wastewater discharge permit issued by the Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality. This permit dictated the allowable limits of pollutants released into the City of Crete’s publicly owned treatment works. The EPA CID determined that on August 5, 2014, the facility discharged wastewater containing pollutants more than *twice* the daily maximum permitted under the terms of its permit.

While the specific pollutants exceeding the limits weren’t immediately disclosed, exceeding discharge limits poses a significant risk to public water systems and the environment. The City of Crete’s treatment facility is designed to handle a specific load of pollutants; exceeding those limits can overwhelm the system, potentially leading to untreated wastewater being released into local waterways. Sources close to the investigation indicate the violation involved organic loading, impacting the biological processes within the treatment plant.

The Clean Water Act, passed in 1972, is the primary federal law governing water pollution. It establishes the basic structure for regulating discharges of pollutants into the waters of the United States. Violations can result in both criminal and civil penalties, including hefty fines and, in some cases, imprisonment. In this case, Crete Core Ingredients faced charges under 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(A), which specifically addresses the discharge of pollutants in violation of a permit.

The sentencing, handed down on September 26, 2019, reflects the seriousness with which federal authorities view violations of environmental regulations. While the $100,000 fine represents a financial penalty, it also serves as a deterrent to other companies operating in similar industries. GrimyTimes has reached out to Crete Core Ingredients for comment but has not yet received a response. The EPA has indicated that this case underscores its commitment to protecting the nation’s waterways and holding polluters accountable.

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Key Facts

Defendant: Crete Core Ingredients L.L.C.
Location: Crete, Nebraska
Crime: Violation of the Clean Water Act
Date of Violation: August 5, 2014
Statute Violated: 33 U.S.C. 1319(c)(1)(A)
Penalty: $100,000 fine
Investigating Agency: Environmental Protection Agency Criminal Investigation Division (EPA CID)

GrimyTimes will continue to follow this case and provide updates as they become available.

Source: EPA ECHO Enforcement Case Database

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