The Oregon Department of Environmental Quality has fined Pacific Choice Seafood Co. $48,800 for violating its wastewater discharge permits at its three facilities off SW Bay Boulevard in Newport. Specifically, the company exceeded various pollutant limits between May 2017 and June 2018 and failed to monitor wastewater effluent as required by its permit in April 2017, July 2017 and June 2018. Wastewater pollution limits are set at levels necessary to protect human health and the environment. Mandatory monitoring is important because without such information it is impossible to determine the effectiveness of a facility’s wastewater treatment system. By failing to comply with its permit requirements, the company created a risk that its wastewater discharges would negatively affect aquatic life and human health. The company has until Oct. 8 to appeal the penalty.
