Under the settlement, Cal-Maine will bring the facility into compliance with its state-issued water discharge permit, significantly reduce nutrient pollution discharges, and improve environmental data collection and reporting practices.

The company will also pay a $475,000 penalty to be split evenly between the US Federal and Mississippi governments.

“Clean Water Act violations from agricultural facilities can impair drinking water sources, transmit disease-causing bacteria, and endanger our lakes and rivers,” said Cynthia Giles, assistant administrator for EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance.

“When concentrated animal feeding operations discharge pollutants into US waters, the law requires them to have a permit and comply with it. We’re committed to enforcing the law to protect water quality for communities like the one where this facility is located.”

“The Justice Department is committed to protecting clean water for all Americans, and ensuring large concentrated animal feeding operations are good neighbors to those communities living near them like Edwards,” said Assistant Attorney General John Cruden for the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division.

“This settlement will bring Cal-Maine into compliance with state and federal laws and cut nutrient pollution discharges into area waterways.”

“This is good news for water quality and health for the residents of Edwards by requiring that Cal-Maine's facilities operate in accordance with state and federal laws,” said US Attorney Gregory K. Davis for the Southern District of Mississippi.

“The settlement also represents the commitment by the Justice Department and our federal and state partners to protect water, air and land from health hazards and pollution.”