CONCORD, New Hampshire – In a shocking turn of events, Old Dutch Mustard, a mustard and vinegar manufacturing company, has been accused of violating the Clean Water Act in Greenville, New Hampshire.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s office, Old Dutch Mustard discharged acidic pollutants into a tributary of the Souhegan River on over 1,700 days between November 2019 and February 2026. The company also failed to comply with its stormwater discharge permit and failed to provide timely compliance information upon request.
The company’s owner, Charles Santich, was sentenced to 18 months in prison in April 2026, while Old Dutch Mustard Co. was ordered to pay a $1.5 million fine.
The consent decree requires Old Dutch Mustard to improve its monitoring to provide real-time data, thoroughly investigate any future discharges to determine their cause, and implement corrective measures to stop them.
Old Dutch Mustard has a two-decade long history of unlawfully discharging its acidic wastewater and stormwater into a stream that flows underneath and in front of the company’s facility in Greenville, New Hampshire.
The Souhegan River is one of 19 New Hampshire rivers that the State of New Hampshire has designated as a treasured waterway. The U.S. Attorney’s office has vowed to protect the river and the public from further pollution.
Defendant: Old Dutch Mustard (Old Dutch Mustard Co.)
Criminal Charges: Violation of the Clean Water Act
City and State: Greenville, New Hampshire
Exact Date: 2019-11-01 to 2026-02-28
Sentence or Outcome: Consent decree requiring compliance program and $1.5 million fine
Dollar Amounts: $1.5 million
Key Facts
- State: New Hampshire
- Category: Environmental Crimes
- Source: DOJ Press Release â†â€â€
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