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CSPA discovers
Syngenta Seeds has been polluting ground and surface water for
over 36 years
September 18, 2008 -- For over 36 years, Syngenta Seeds has been discharging waste water from their Woodland Processing Facility into leach fields and Willow Slough.
Syngenta, a commercial seed and agricultural chemical company, ranks third in the high-value commercial seeds market. Sales in 2007 were approximately $9.2 billion. Syngenta employs over 21,000 people in more than 90 countries.
The approximately 500,000 gallons of water discharged annually from the Woodland plant contains high salt concentrations as well as nitrogen, chloride, magnesium and sodium at levels exceeding water quality objectives. In addition, numerous chemicals, such as Pectinase, Tsunami and Physan 20, are used at the facility to control microbial diseases that may be discharged with the wastewater.
In addition to the wastewater discharge reverse osmosis brine and boiler blowdown are discharged to a septic system permitted by the Yolo County Environmental Health Department.
Groundwater at the site is approximately 25 feet below ground surface and has been shown to be degraded and exceeds water quality objectives for electrical conductivity, dissolved solids, nitrate nitrogen, and sodium.
The request for a waste water discharge permit alleges that since the discharge has been ongoing for only 4-years, degradation may be caused by neighboring agricultural practices. However, this is contrary to the fact that Syngenta has been operating illegally for 36 years. The discharge of reverse osmosis brine and boiler blowdown alone would be sufficient to be the cause of a significant portion of the groundwater degradation.
CSPA is asking that prior to any Wastewater Discharge Requirements Permit being granted that a Cleanup and Abatement Order should be issued immediate cessation of all wastewater discharges until the Discharger applies for, and a permit is issued, and can comply with the requirements of California Code of Regulations (CCR), Title 27.