Agri-Mark Fined $60,000 for Wastewater Permit Violations

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Filed February 12th, 2026

Detected March 17th, 2026

Summary

The Vermont Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) fined Agri-Mark, Inc. $60,000 for multiple violations of its wastewater pretreatment permit at its Middlebury facility. The violations included exceeding biological oxygen demand and pH limits, unpermitted discharges, and reporting failures.

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What changed

The Vermont Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) has fined Agri-Mark, Inc. $60,000 for 15 violations of its Pretreatment Discharge Permit at its dairy and whey processing facility in Middlebury, Vermont. These violations, occurring since July 1, 2022, included exceeding Biological Oxygen Demand and pH effluent limits, unpermitted discharges of high-strength waste, and multiple monitoring and reporting failures, some of which impacted the municipal wastewater treatment facility. Agri-Mark also failed to maintain the facility and ensure adequate staffing.

To resolve these violations, Agri-Mark has agreed to hire a consultant to evaluate its waste management procedures, develop a compliance and operations plan for DEC approval, and ensure adequate staffing. The company has also agreed to the $60,000 fine, which has been incorporated into a Final Judicial Order by the Vermont Superior Court, Environmental Division. Regulated entities should review their wastewater discharge permits and ensure robust compliance monitoring and reporting practices are in place to avoid similar penalties.

What to do next

Review wastewater pretreatment permit conditions and compliance history.
Ensure adequate staffing and facility maintenance for wastewater treatment operations.
Verify accuracy and timeliness of all wastewater monitoring and reporting.

Penalties

$60,000 fine

Source document (simplified)

Agri-Mark, Inc. Fined for Multiple Wastewater Permit Violations at their Vermont Facility

Date February 12, 2026 PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release – February 12, 2026

Media Contact:
Randy J. Miller, II, Enforcement and Litigation Attorney
Agency of Natural Resources
Randy.Miller@vermont.gov, 802-272-1744

Agri-Mark, Inc. Fined for Multiple Wastewater Permit Violations at their Vermont Facility

Montpelier, Vt. – The Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that Agri-Mark, Inc. was fined $60,000 for multiple violations of its Pretreatment Discharge Permit (Permit) at its dairy and whey processing facility in Middlebury, Vermont.

More than 15 billion gallons of wastewater are processed by Vermont’s 91 municipal wastewater treatment facilities (WWTFs) per year, where the wastewater is treated before being released into the environment. Certain industries must obtain a pretreatment permit to treat their wastewater before sending it to municipal WWTFs, ensuring it doesn't disrupt the treatment process. Pretreatment discharge permits help prevent the release of untreated wastewater. The discharge of untreated or partially treated wastewater can pose a significant risk to the state’s natural resources and to public health.

“Without proper pretreatment, there is the potential for discharges from municipal wastewater treatment facilities to contaminate our lakes, ponds, rivers, streams, and wetlands,” says Misty Sinsigalli, DEC Commissioner. “Compliance with pretreatment discharge permits is crucial for ensuring safe discharges from municipal wastewater treatment facilities to Vermont’s surface waters.”

Since July 1, 2022, Agri-Mark, Inc. violated 15 conditions of their Permit, including numerous exceedances of Biological Oxygen Demand and pH effluent limits, unpermitted discharges of high-strength waste to the municipal treatment system, and multiple monitoring and reporting violations. Several of these instances resulted in impacts to the municipal wastewater treatment facility. Agri-Mark also failed to maintain the facility in good working order, and did not employ an adequate number of staff.

To resolve the violations, Agri-Mark, Inc. has agreed to hire a qualified consultant to evaluate the facility and its waste management procedures, develop a compliance and operations plan for Agency review and approval, and ensure adequate staffing. They also agreed to a fine of $60,000 for the violations. This agreement was incorporated into a Final Judicial Order of the Vermont Superior Court, Environmental Division.

Learn more online about DEC’s Watershed Management Division, including the Wastewater Management Program and Discharge Permits.

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