State Issues Large Fine Against Plainview Milk Co-Op for Wastewater Violation

St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) has fined a milk cooperative in Plainview for violating state wastewater regulations. 

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A news release says the fine is the result of an enforcement investigation in 2022 against Plainview Milk Products Cooperative. The civil penalty is $17,820. 

The MPCA says its investigation found the company allowed milk-laden industrial wastewater to drain from its facility into a nearby unnamed creek that feeds into the north fork of Whitewater River, which is a dedicated trout stream, on two separate occasions last year. 

Officials say the cooperative violated terms in its permit issued by the state by failing to immediately report the drainage. The state investigation also found the co-op had, “inadequate system to monitor its wastewater flows and between 2019 and 2022, more than 20% of its required monthly discharge monitoring reports were submitted late.” 

The state agency said in addition to the fine, Plainview Milk has also taken following corrective actions: 

• reviewing and revising release reporting and response procedures.
• reviewing and revising procedures that ensure pollution prevention equipment is operating effectively.
• installing new flow monitoring equipment.
• implementing a process to ensure reports are submitted on time.

Plainview Milk is the second Wabasha County business to have a run in with the MPCA this month. The state agency sued an Elgin gas station last week in connection with a leak of gasoline into the groundwater.