Pig Facility Pollution to Blame for Fish Deaths

Following the death of a large fish population in the West Branch of the Floyd River, the Iowa Department of Natural Resources traced the source of a polluting discharge to a Sioux Center, IA pig slaughterhouse. Runoff from the Sioux-Preme Packing Company contaminated at least nine miles of the river running downstream from the farm, where concentrated ammonia levels were found in the water. The investigation began after a local resident reported stressed fish in clouded water over the October 27 weekend. The estimated death toll of the fish is in the thousands. In July, The Humane Society of the United States announced its intention to sue 51 pig facilities following the unreported release of ammonia pollutants.