Clean water is essential for communities and ecosystems to thrive. Unfortunately, the dominant industrial food system degrades our nation’s waters at every step, including slaughter and processing. The Agri Star Meat & Poultry meatpacking facility in Postville, Iowa, has been violating its Clean Water Act permit and illegally polluting the nearby Hecker Creek and Yellow River.
Despite multiple and ongoing violations of the Clean Water Act, government agencies have not stepped in to stop Agri Star’s unlawful pollution. Driftless Water Defenders (DWD), an Iowa non-profit focused on water issues in Iowa, filed a citizen suit under the Clean Water Act to enforce the law and protect their treasured waters. FarmSTAND, Public Justice, and Larew Law Office represent Driftless Water Defenders in this action.