CEDAR RAPIDS, IOWA— A nonprofit group recently filed a federal lawsuit against Agri Star Meat & Poultry, which alleged the company violated the Clean Water Act at its Postville, Iowa, facility.

Driftless Water Defenders (DWD) alleged Agri Star “discharged and continues to discharge pollutants” of ammonia nitrogen, total suspended solids, chloride, oil and grease affecting local waterways that violated National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (“NPDES”) Permit limits.

The complaint, filed in the US District Court for the Northern District of Iowa, is looking for declaratory and injunctive relief and fines of up to $68,445 per day for violations.

In its relief request to the court, DWD wants the judge to require Agri Star to comply with effluent limitations, monitoring and reporting requirements, and operations management of the NPDES permit.

The Iowa Department of Natural Resources works on the regulation of wastewater discharge for the state.