Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy investigating JBS wastewater leak in Hall County
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. -- The Nebraska Department of Environment and Energy is addressing the concerns the community has regarding water safety after a January incident at a beef plant in Grand Island.
NDEE officials attended Tuesday’s Hall County Commissioners meeting to address questions and concerns regarding JBS's history with environmental issues.
This comes after an anaerobic lagoon dike failure was identified by JBS Swift staff on Jan. 6, which led to JBS to temporarily cease all plant production.
Officials said they were contacted by JBS to report an ongoing release of wastewater from the facility’s, which JBS estimated to be at the time 5,000,000 gallons of wastewater that was discharged into the Wood River. While onsite NDEE took water samples but haven’t gotten the results.
So far, the NDEE is still investigating and is continuing to monitor the situation. The department submitted a letter of noncompliance and accused JBS of seven violations, including unlawful discharge of water pollution, discharging without authorization, failure to comply with wastewater treatment and more.
According to an NDEE representative, JBS has until Feb. 15 to write a remediation plan and provide documentation of additional monitoring of water quality in the Wood River among other things.
NDEE can fine up $10,000 per day per violation.
While officials said there’s no imminent danger for private wells since the damage was done on a surface level, they still suggest testing wells on an annual basis.
“So, if it’s in the ground water at 10-15 feet at the surface, it still has to make it to the 75 to 100 feet where the intake to the well is,” said NDEE Groundwater Section Supervisor. "So, there are lots of, I mean again, test your well."
The NDEE is offering free nitrate sample kits and lab analysis through March 1.
Commissioner Jane Richardson said she tried to contact JBS to let them know about the meeting, but she didn’t receive an answer.
In a statement, JBS said it is working to address potential impacts, and said an investigation is underway as to what caused the structure to become compromised. They also say they are in close contact with the NDEE.
The commissioners voted 7-0 to send a letter of concern to JBS and copy it to state senators.