UPDATE: Allen Harim cited for violating water pollution regulations

The Delaware Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control has cited a wastewater treatment plant at Allen Harim’s Harbeson poultry processing facility for several violations.

According to the  Notice of Violation, the plant’s violations were “a direct result of treatment inadequacies, process overloads and specific circumstances.”
 
The notice cites several instances of higher than allowed concentrations of ammonia, total phosphorous and other materials. The plant has permission to discharge into Beaverdam Creek through an outfall and is required to monitor the discharge regularly.

The violations date back to March of 2012.

Salisbury biology professor Dr. Judith Stribling said  one of the violations on June 3 2013 is particularly concerning On that day over one million coliforms of fecal bacteria per 100 milliliters of water were dumped into the beaverdam creek. The limit calls for only 185 coliforms per 100 milliliters of water.

“If you are exposed to these bacteria they can potentially make you sick,” Stribling said. “They pose a risk directly of making you sick, giving you an infection, an intestinal infection.”
 
The company said in a statement that it will “continue to work closely with DNREC and respond to any concerns.”
 
Allen Harim must address specific reasons for the violations and take measures to fix the violations within 30 days or face a penalty.