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Rochester, Minn.-- The Birds Eye food-processing plant in Waseca is replacing part
of its industrial wastewater treatment system in order to reduce pollutants and
odors while meeting state rules designed to protect water resources. The
changes call for an Environmental Assessment Worksheet that looks at their
potential impact to the environment. The worksheet is open for public comment through
Aug. 20.
Under state permits, the plant will be allowed to treat up
to 160 million gallons a year of industrial wastewater on land owned by Birds
Eye outside the Waseca city limits. The treatment process consists of storing
the wastewater in ponds and spraying it on adjacent land. As the wastewater
filters through the soil, pollutants such as bacteria and nutrients are
removed. This project concerns only industrial wastewater. The plant’s sanitary
wastewater, such as from bathrooms, goes to the Waseca’s municipal treatment
facility.
Owned by Pinnacle Foods, the plant intends to build a
16-acre storage pond for wastewater from processing corn and sweet peas. The
plan also calls for two small aerated ponds designed to reduce odors in the
wastewater. The construction will replace an existing pond used for several
decades. Birds Eye must decommission the existing pond, disposing of residual
waste according to state rules.
From May to November, the plant sprays its processing
wastewater on its land south of Waseca off U.S. Highway 14. During cold and wet
weather, which prohibit the spray treatment process, the plant uses the pond to
store the wastewater until treatment can resume.
To protect groundwater, the ponds with be lined to prevent
leaks and existing groundwater monitoring wells will be used to detect
contamination.
The full worksheet for this project is available on the MPCA
website by searching for “MPCA environmental worksheet” on the internet. It is also available by calling Beth Tegdesch
at 651-757-2100. Comments on the worksheet, which must be in writing,
should go to Charles Peterson of the MPCA’s environmental review unit at charles.peterson@state.mn.us or MPCA or 520 Lafayette Road N., St. Paul,
MN 55155-4194.
The proposed treatment changes require federal, state and
county permits. The MPCA will issue coverage under the National Pollution
Disposal Elimination System and State Disposal System (NPDES/SDS) permit. The
issuance of the NPDES/SDS permit also requires a public notice. This is available
online by searching for “MPCA public notices” and then scrolling down to the
July 21 list. Comments on the permit, which must be in writing, should be
submitted to Emily Schnick of the MPCA’s permit unit at emily.schnick@state.mn.us or 520
Lafayette Road N., St. Paul, MN
55155-4194.
All comments must be received by 4:30 p.m. on
Aug. 20.
Broadcast version
The Birds Eye food-processing plant in Waseca is planning to
replace some of its industrial wastewater treatment system. The changes will reduce
pollutants and odors while meeting state rules designed to protect water
resources. The project requires an Environmental Assessment Worksheet that
looks at the potential impact to the environment. The Minnesota Pollution
Control Agency is accepting comments on this worksheet is available by searching “MPCA
public notices” online.
The agency is accepting comments on the worksheet, along
with the federal and state permits, through August 20. Visit www.pca.state.mn.us for details.
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www.pca.state.mn.us • Toll-free and TDD 800-657-3864
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