FARMERVILLE, La. – In response to recent reports that it had was violating wastewater treatment standards, Livingston, Calif.-based Foster Farms announced the company addressed a wastewater aeration issue related at the company’s Athens, La., hatchery on Jan. 26, the same day an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) inspection uncovered the problem.

The EPA ordered Foster Farms to stop all discharges of unauthorized pollutants from the company’s wastewater lagoon to a tributary of Leatherman Creek. The company installed a new aerator and has met all EPA requirements, according to a statement.

Foster Farms added that the company has been recognized for environmental stewardship in the past, including receiving the Governor’s Environmental and Economic Leadership Award, which is the state of California’s highest environmental honor. In 2009, the company won the Waste Reduction Awards Program for its innovative, environmentally friendly solid waste recycling programs and policies. Finally, Foster Farms received the POWER Award which honors companies implementing programs that serve as models to others and provide solutions to water issues.