Document rpNdm5eovY5D8XwJdpgOpEEo7
June 1 , 2025
TRANSMITTED VIA E-MAIL
Tyson Clark, Wastewater Operator Pilgrim's Pride Corporation P.O. Box 1268 Mount Pleasant, Texas 75455 tyson.clark@pilgrims.com
RE: Administrative Order; Docket Number: CWA-06-2025-1759 Pilgrim's Pride Corporation Wastewater Treatment Facility TPDES Permit Number: TX0062936
Dear Mr. Clark:
Enclosed is an Administrative Order (AO) issued to the Pilgrim's Pride Corporation, for violations of the Clean Water Act (CWA), 33 U.S.C. 1251 et seq. Violations were identified during a review of the permit file and discharge monitoring reports submitted for the Pilgrim's Pride Corporation Wastewater Treatment Facility. The violations alleged are for failure to meet permit effluent and monitoring requirements. The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) requests that you immediately confirm receipt of this e-mail and the attached order by a response e-mail to montoya.david01@epa.gov.
The AO does not assess a monetary penalty; however, it does require compliance with applicable federal regulations. The first compliance deadline is within thirty (30) days of the effective date of the AO. EPA is committed to ensuring compliance with the requirements of the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program and my staff will assist you in any way possible. Please reference AO Docket Number CWA-06-2025-1759 and TPDES Permit Number TX0062936 on your response. If you have any questions, please contact Mr. David Montoya Jr. of my staff, at (214) 665-6478 or montoya.david01@epa.gov.
Sincerely,
Enclosure(s) ec: amy.settemeyer@tceq.texas.gov
Cheryl T. Seager, Director Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division
UNITED STATES ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY Region 6
FINDINGS OF VIOLATION AND COMPLIANCE ORDER Docket Number: CWA-06-2025-1759; TPDES Permit Number: TX0062936
STATUTORY AUTHORITY
The following findings are made, and Order issued, under the authority vested in the Administrator of the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Section 309(a) of the Clean Water Act (the Act), 33 U.S.C. 1319(a). The Administrator of EPA delegated the authority to issue this Order to the Regional Administrator of EPA Region 6, who delegated this authority to the Director of the Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division.
FINDINGS
7. Section 402 of the Act, 33 U.S.C. 1342, authorizes states to request approval from EPA to administer their own permit programs for discharges into navigable waters within their jurisdiction. Pursuant to this provision, the State of Texas requested approval from EPA to administer its own permit program for discharges into navigable waters within Texas, and such approval was granted by EPA on September 14, 1998. Therefore, pursuant to the State's permit program, the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ) issued Texas Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (TPDES) permits. Violation of a TPDES permit is a violation of Section 301(a) of the Act, 33 U.S.C. 1311(a).
1. Pilgrim's Pride Corporation (Respondent) is a "person," as that term is defined at Section 502(5) of the Act, 33 U.S.C. 1362(5), and 40 C.F.R. 122.2.
2. At all times relevant to this Order (all relevant times), Respondent owned or operated the Pilgrim's Pride Southwest Wastewater Treatment Plant (facility) located at 664 Farm-toMarket Road 127 West in the City of Mount Pleasant in Titus County, Texas 75455, and was, therefore, an "owner or operator" within the meaning of 40 C.F.R. 122.2.
3. At all relevant times, the facility acted as a "point source" of "discharges" of "pollutants" with its final wastewater discharge to Tankersley Creek; thence to Big Cypress Creek Below Lake Bob Sandlin in Segment No. 0404 of the Cypress Creek Basin, which are "waters of the United States," within the meaning of Section 502 of the Act, 33 U.S.C. 1362, and 40 C.F.R. 122.2.
8. Respondent applied for and was issued TPDES Permit No. TX0062936 (permit) under Section 402 of the Act, 33 U.S.C. 1342, which was issued on November 19, 2018, and is currently administratively continued. At all relevant times, Respondent was authorized to discharge pollutants from the facility to waters of the United States only in compliance with the specific terms and conditions of the permit.
9. The permit includes "Monitoring and Reporting Requirements" that require Respondent to sample and test its effluent and monitor its compliance with permit conditions according to specific procedures, in order to determine the facility's compliance or noncompliance with the permit and applicable regulations. The permit also requires Respondent to file with TCEQ certified Discharge Monitoring Reports (DMRs) of the results of monitoring, and Noncompliance Reports when appropriate.
4. Because Respondent owned or operated a facility that acted as a point source of discharges of pollutants to waters of the United States, Respondent and the facility were subject to the Act and the National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) program.
10. The permit contains "Effluent Limitations and Monitoring Requirements" that place certain limitations on the quality and quantity of effluent discharged by Respondent. The relevant discharge limitations are specified in Attachment A, which is incorporated herein by reference.
5. Under Section 301 of the Act, 33 U.S.C. 1311, it is unlawful for any person to discharge any pollutant from a point source to waters of the United States, except with the authorization of, and in compliance with, an NPDES permit issued pursuant to Section 402 of the Act, 33 U.S.C. 1342.
11. Certified DMRs filed by Respondent with TCEQ in compliance with the permit show discharges of pollutants from the facility that exceed the permitted effluent limitations established in the permit, as specified in Attachment B, which is incorporated herein by reference.
6. Section 402(a) of the Act, 33 U.S.C. 1342(a), provides that the Administrator of EPA may issue permits under the NPDES program for the discharge of pollutants from point sources to waters of the United States. Any such discharge is subject to the specific terms and conditions prescribed in the applicable permit.
12. Each instance in which Respondent discharged pollutants to waters of the United States in amounts exceeding the effluent limitations contained in the permit was a violation of the permit and Section 301 of the Act, 33 U.S.C. 1311.
Docket No. CWA-06-2025-1759 Page 2
SECTION 309(a)(3) COMPLIANCE ORDER
GENERAL PROVISIONS
13. Based on the foregoing Findings and pursuant to the authority of Section 309(a)(3) of the Act, 33 U.S.C. 1319(a)(3), EPA hereby orders Respondent to take the following action:
A. Take such measures as are necessary to comply with all permit conditions, including Effluent Limitations and Monitoring and Reporting Requirements, no later than thirty (30) days from the effective date of the Order.
B. Within thirty (30) days of the effective date of this Order, Respondent shall submit a list of the specific actions taken to correct the Carbonaceous Biological Oxygen Demand [5-day, 20C], Biological Oxygen Demand [5-day, 20C], General Fecal Coliform, E. Coli, Total Ammonia Nitrogen, Total Nitrogen, Oil & Grease, Total Phosphorus, Total Suspended Solids, and Whole Effluent Toxicity.
C. Within thirty (30) days of the effective date of this Order, Respondent shall provide written certification to EPA Region 6 that the violations cited herein have been corrected and the facility is compliant with the requirements of the permit.
D. In the event the Respondent believes complete correction of the violations cited herein is not possible within thirty (30) days of the effective date of this Order, Respondent shall, within thirty (30) days of the effective date of this Order, submit a comprehensive written plan for the elimination of the cited violations within the shortest possible time. Such plan shall describe in detail the specific corrective actions to be taken and why such actions are sufficient to correct the violations. The plan shall include a detailed schedule for the elimination of the violations within the shortest possible time, as well as measures to prevent these or similar violations from recurring.
E. Any information or correspondence submitted by Respondent to EPA under this Order shall be submitted, via email, to the following:
Respondent may seek federal judicial review of the Order pursuant to Chapter 7 of the Administrative Procedure Act, 5 U.S.C. 701-706.
Issuance of this Section 309(a)(3) Compliance Order shall not be deemed an election by EPA to waive any administrative, judicial, civil, or criminal action to seek penalties, fines or other relief under the Act for the violations cited herein, or other violations that become known to EPA. EPA reserves the right to seek any remedy available under the law that it deems appropriate.
Failure to comply with this Section 309(a)(3) Compliance Order or the Act may result in further administrative action, or a civil judicial action initiated by the United States Department of Justice.
For purposes of the identification requirement in Section 162(f)(2)(A)(ii) of the Internal Revenue Code, 26 U.S.C. 162(f)(2)(A)(ii), and 26 C.F.R. 1.162-21(b)(2), performance of Paragraph 13 is restitution, remediation, or satisfaction of requirements to come into compliance with the law.
This Order does not constitute a waiver or modification of the terms or conditions of Respondents NPDES permit, which remain in full force and effect. Compliance with the terms and conditions of this Order does not relieve Respondent of its obligation to comply with any applicable federal, state, or local law or regulation.
The effective date of this Order is the date it is received by Respondent.
Date
Mr. David Montoya Jr. montoya.david01@epa.gov
Cheryl T. Seager, Director Enforcement and Compliance Assurance Division
Attachment A Pilgrim's Pride Corporation TPDES Permit ID: TX000062936
Effluent Parameter
Carbonaceous Biological Oxygen Demand [5-day, 20C] Biological Oxygen Demand [5day, 20C]
General Fecal Coliform
Daily Avg. mg/L (lbs/day)
5 (146)
16 (454)
N/A
Daily Max mg/L (lbs/day)
10 (292)
26 (738)
200 MPN/100mL
E. Coli
Total Ammonia Nitrogen (April - October) Total Ammonia Nitrogen (November - March)
Total Nitrogen
Oil & Grease
126 CFU/100mL 1 (29) 4 (113)
103 (2,922) 8 (227)
394 CFU/100mL 2 (58) 6 (170)
147 (4,171) 14 (376)
Total Phosphorus Total Suspended Solids Whole Effluent Toxicity
Report (144.89)
Report
15 (376)
30 (751)
Lethal WET Limit: 98% Sublethal WET Limit: 80%
Attachment B Pilgrim's Pride Corporation TPDES Permit ID: TX0062936
Monitoring Period End Date 07/31/2023
07/31/2023
08/31/2023 08/31/2023 12/31/2023 06/30/2024
06/30/2024
06/30/2024
06/30/2024
06/30/2024
06/30/2024 07/31/2024 07/31/2024 07/31/2024 07/31/2024 07/31/2024
07/31/2024
07/31/2024
07/31/2024 07/31/2024 07/31/2024 07/31/2024
07/31/2024
07/31/2024
07/31/2024
Parameter Desc
Solids, total suspended Solids, total suspended BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] E. coli E. coli BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] Solids, total suspended Solids, total suspended Solids, total suspended Solids, total suspended BOD [5-day, 20C] BOD [5-day, 20C] BOD [5-day, 20C] BOD [5-day, 20C] BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] E. coli E. coli Nitrogen, ammonia total [as N] Nitrogen, ammonia total [as N] Solids, total suspended Solids, total suspended
Statistical Base
DAILY MX
DAILY MX
DAILY AV DAILY MX DAILY MX DAILY AV
DAILY MX
DAILY AV
DAILY AV
DAILY MX
DAILY MX DAILY AV DAILY AV DAILY MX DAILY MX DAILY AV
DAILY AV
DAILY MX
DAILY MX DAILY AV DAILY MX DAILY MX
DAILY MX
DAILY AV
DAILY AV
Limit Unit
lb/d
mg/L
mg/L CFU/100mL CFU/100mL mg/L
mg/L
lb/d
mg/L
lb/d
mg/L lb/d mg/L lb/d mg/L lb/d
mg/L
lb/d
mg/L CFU/100mL CFU/100mL lb/d
mg/L
lb/d
mg/L
Limit Value 751
30
5 394 394 5
10
376
15
751
30 454 16 738 26 146
5
292
10 126 394 58
2
376
15
DMR Value 1927.6
87
5.6 649 613 5.3
11
532.3
31.3
1381
56 493.4 18.9 967.3 39 358.5
13.7
793.7
32 140 1550 104.3
4.46
2500.7
98.5
07/31/2024
07/31/2024 08/31/2024 08/31/2024 08/31/2024 08/31/2024 08/31/2024
08/31/2024
08/31/2024
08/31/2024 08/31/2024 08/31/2024 08/31/2024
08/31/2024
08/31/2024
08/31/2024
08/31/2024
08/31/2024
08/31/2024
08/31/2024
09/30/2024
09/30/2024
09/30/2024
09/30/2024 09/30/2024 09/30/2024
09/30/2024
09/30/2024
Solids, total suspended Solids, total suspended BOD [5-day, 20C] BOD [5-day, 20C] BOD [5-day, 20C] BOD [5-day, 20C] BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] E. coli E. coli Nitrogen, ammonia total [as N] Nitrogen, ammonia total [as N] Nitrogen, ammonia total [as N] Nitrogen, ammonia total [as N] Solids, total suspended Solids, total suspended Solids, total suspended Solids, total suspended BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] E. coli Nitrogen, ammonia total [as N] Nitrogen, ammonia total [as N] Solids, total suspended
DAILY MX
DAILY MX DAILY AV DAILY AV DAILY MX DAILY MX DAILY AV
DAILY AV
DAILY MX
DAILY MX DAILY AV DAILY MX DAILY AV
DAILY AV
DAILY MX
DAILY MX
DAILY AV
DAILY AV
DAILY MX
DAILY MX
DAILY AV
DAILY AV
DAILY MX
DAILY MX DAILY MX DAILY MX
DAILY MX
DAILY AV
lb/d
751
mg/L
30
lb/d
454
mg/L
16
lb/d
738
mg/L
26
lb/d
146
mg/L
5
lb/d
292
mg/L
10
CFU/100mL 126 CFU/100mL 394
lb/d
29
mg/L
1
lb/d
58
mg/L
2
lb/d
376
mg/L
15
lb/d
751
mg/L
30
lb/d
146
mg/L
5
lb/d
292
mg/L
10
CFU/100mL 394
lb/d
58
mg/L
2
lb/d
376
8675.9
360 651.7 25.1 3275.4 125 651.8
25.1
3275.4
125 461 2420 38
1.3
226.5
7.8
5403.
205.3
36,815
1405
208.4
8
391.5
15 411 82
2.42
480.8
09/30/2024 09/30/2024 09/30/2024 10/31/2024 10/31/2024 10/31/2024 10/31/2024 11/30/2024 11/30/2024 11/30/2024 12/31/2024 12/31/2024 12/31/2024 12/31/2024 12/31/2024 12/31/2024 12/31/2024 12/31/2024 12/31/2024 12/31/2024 01/31/2025 01/31/2025 01/31/2025 01/31/2025 01/31/2025 01/31/2025
Solids, total suspended Solids, total suspended Solids, total suspended BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] E. coli Nitrogen, ammonia total [as N] Nitrogen, ammonia total [as N] BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] E. coli Solids, total suspended Whole effluent toxicity Whole effluent toxicity Whole effluent toxicity Whole effluent toxicity BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] Nitrogen, ammonia total [as N] Nitrogen, ammonia total [as N]
DAILY AV DAILY MX DAILY MX DAILY AV DAILY MX DAILY MX DAILY MX DAILY AV DAILY AV DAILY MX DAILY AV DAILY AV DAILY MX DAILY MX DAILY MX DAILY MX 7 DA MIN 7 DA MIN MO AV MN MO AV MN DAILY AV DAILY AV DAILY MX DAILY MX DAILY AV DAILY AV
mg/L
15
lb/d
751
mg/L
30
mg/L
5
CFU/100mL 394
lb/d
58
mg/L
2
lb/d
146
mg/L
5
mg/L
10
lb/d
146
mg/L
5
lb/d
292
mg/L
10
CFU/100mL 394
lb/d
751
%
80
%
98
%
80
%
98
lb/d
146
mg/L
5
lb/d
292
mg/L
10
lb/d
113
mg/L
4
18.2 1763.7 52 5.5 866 116.2 4.7 162.7 6.6 11 208.9 8.8 377.4 13 866 805.9 1 1 1 1 207.9 7.1 354.5 11 301.8 9.6
01/31/2025
01/31/2025
01/31/2025
01/31/2025 02/28/2025 02/28/2025 02/28/2025 02/28/2025 02/28/2025
02/28/2025
02/28/2025
02/28/2025 02/28/2025 02/28/2025 02/28/2025
02/28/2025
02/28/2025
02/28/2025
02/28/2025
02/28/2025
02/28/2025
02/28/2025
02/28/2025 03/31/2025 03/31/2025 03/31/2025 03/31/2025 03/31/2025
03/31/2025
03/31/2025
Nitrogen, ammonia total [as N] Nitrogen, ammonia total [as N] Solids, total suspended Solids, total suspended BOD [5-day, 20C] BOD [5-day, 20C] BOD [5-day, 20C] BOD [5-day, 20C] BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] E. coli E. coli Nitrogen, ammonia total [as N] Nitrogen, ammonia total [as N] Nitrogen, total [as N] Nitrogen, total [as N] Phosphorus, total [as P] Solids, total suspended Solids, total suspended Solids, total suspended Solids, total suspended BOD [5-day, 20C] BOD [5-day, 20C] BOD [5-day, 20C] BOD [5-day, 20C] BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C]
DAILY MX
DAILY MX
DAILY AV
DAILY MX DAILY AV DAILY AV DAILY MX DAILY MX DAILY AV
DAILY AV
DAILY MX
DAILY MX DAILY AV DAILY MX DAILY MX
DAILY MX
DAILY MX
DAILY MX
DAILY AV
DAILY AV
DAILY AV
DAILY MX
DAILY MX DAILY AV DAILY AV DAILY MX DAILY MX DAILY AV
DAILY AV
DAILY MX
lb/d
mg/L
mg/L
mg/L lb/d mg/L lb/d mg/L lb/d
mg/L
lb/d
mg/L CFU/100mL CFU/100mL lb/d
mg/L
lb/d
mg/L
lb/d
lb/d
mg/L
lb/d
mg/L lb/d mg/L lb/d mg/L lb/d
mg/L
lb/d
170
6
15
30 454 16 738 26 146
5
292
10 126 394 170
6
4171
147
144.89
376
15
751
30 454 16 738 26 146
5
292
1204.9
37.7
27.85
68 2367.6 79.7 22065.1 873. 2367.6
79.7
26279.5
873 202.9 2420 402.5
11.9
4726.1
157
186.5
2128.5
73.1
22,065.1
733 1104.3 43.2 3188.4 129 1104.2
43.2
3188.4
03/31/2025
03/31/2025 03/31/2025 03/31/2025 03/31/2025 03/31/2025 03/31/2025
03/31/2025
03/31/2025
03/31/2025
03/31/2025
BOD, carbonaceous [5-day, 20C] Coliform, fecal general E. coli E. coli Oil & Grease Oil & Grease Phosphorus, total [as P] Solids, total suspended Solids, total suspended Solids, total suspended Solids, total suspended
DAILY MX
DAILY MX DAILY AV DAILY MX DAILY MX DAILY MX DAILY AV
DAILY AV
DAILY AV
DAILY MX
DAILY MX
mg/L
#/100mL CFU/100mL CFU/100mL lb/d mg/L lb/d
lb/d
mg/L
lb/d
mg/L
10
200 126 394 376 14 144.89
376
15
751
30
129
5800 1018.5 2420 845.1 35.3 379.7
17,174.3
603
132,231.7
4040