EPA v. KNOUSE FOODS COOPERATIVE, INC.

Case summary

On November 16, 2022, EPA, Region III entered into a Consent Agreement and Final Order (?CAFO?) with Knouse Food Cooperative, Inc. (Knouse), in which Knouse will pay $230,000 to settle CWA violations at its fruit processing facility located in Peach Glen, PA. Cited violations included: (1) 120 discharges of water exceeding discharge limitations; and (2) failure to implement a SWPPP to minimize pollutant discharges, resulting in violations of Sections 301 and 402 of the CWA. EPA coordinated with PADEP in the development of this case. An EJSCREEN was run for Peach Glen, PA area was not identified as a potential EJ concern. As a result of the investigation into these violations and this penalty action, Knouse is no longer discharging nutrients to the Chesapeake Bay in excess of its permit limits.

Defendants (1)

• KNOUSE FOODS COOPERATIVE, INC.Named in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (3)

• KNOUSE FOODS PEACH GLEN

  800 PEACH GLEN IDAVILLE RD, PEACH GLEN, PA, 17375-0001

  Registry ID: 110000569368

• KNOUSE FOODS COOPERATIVE, INC.

  800 PEACH GLEN IDAVILLE ROAD, PEACH GLEN, PA, 17375

  Registry ID: 110000569368

• KNOUSE FOODS CO-OP INC - PEACH GLEN PLANT

  800 PEACH GLEN IDAVILLE RD, PEACH GLEN, PA, 17375-0001

  Registry ID: 110069523527

Statutes cited

• CWA 301/402 — NPDES Permit Violations

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• KNOUSE FOODS COOPERATIVE, INC.entered 2022-11-16

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $230,000

Timeline (5 milestones)

• 2022-11-16Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2022-11-16Final Order Issued
• 2022-11-22Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2023-03-13NPDES Closed
• 2023-03-13Enforcement Action Closed