Wisconsin Farm Reaches Settlement Over Groundwater Pollution Allegations
The Wisconsin Department of Justice announced a significant financial settlement with Central Sands Dairy regarding allegations of environmental violations. The dairy farm, located in Nekoosa, Juneau County, agreed to a $245,000 settlement following claims of groundwater pollution.
Central Sands Dairy previously operated a concentrated animal feeding operation (CAFO) before ceasing operations at the end of 2022. Concerns arose when groundwater monitoring wells at the site recorded ammonia levels surpassing state standards on 22 occasions between 2017 and 2023, as detailed in a complaint. Although ammonia levels have been on a decline since 2023, the farm was also found guilty of excessive nitrogen fertilizer application and surpassing permissible phosphorus levels on its fields during 2019 to 2023.
The Department of Justice accused Central Sands of failing to manage manure effectively and not adhering to the state’s wastewater discharge laws, which Attorney General Josh Kaul emphasized are crucial for maintaining clean groundwater. “Compliance with Wisconsin’s wastewater discharge laws helps keep groundwater clean,” he stated.
Further allegations included the improper spreading of manure on fields and neglecting to upgrade manure storage facilities, as mandated by the farm’s wastewater discharge permit. Additionally, the farm did not submit plans required by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
Under the settlement terms, Central Sands must decommission its waste storage facilities by July 1 of the upcoming year. The DNR has conditionally approved the farm’s decommissioning plans, which are projected to incur a cost of $315,000. The settlement was officially signed by Judge Paul S. Curran of the Juneau County Circuit Court on October 5.
Attempts to obtain comments from an attorney and representatives of Central Sands have not yet received a response.
