Spokane Riverkeeper files lawsuit against Purina Mills for alleged Clean Water Act violations
Spokane Riverkeeper announced on April 7, 2025, that it has filed a lawsuit against Purina Mills, LLC, alleging violations of the Clean Water Act for failing to monitor, report and prevent industrial pollution from contaminating the Spokane River.
The lawsuit, filed in U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Washington, asserts that Purina Mills failed to collect or submit required discharge monitoring data and lacks significant stormwater pollution prevention measures at its facility.
“Industrial polluters cannot ignore their legal obligations to protect our waterways,” said Katelyn Scott, water protector of Spokane Riverkeeper, in a press release. “By failing to monitor its discharges and implement meaningful pollution controls, Purina Mills is putting the health of the Spokane River at risk.”
Under the Clean Water Act, industrial facilities must regularly monitor and report their stormwater discharges to ensure compliance with pollution limits. However, Spokane Riverkeeper’s investigation revealed that Purina Mills has not submitted the required data, making it impossible to determine the full impact of their discharge.
Additionally, the facility lacks key stormwater pollution prevention measures, increasing the likelihood of contaminated runoff carrying heavy metals, sediment, and other pollutants into the watershed.
“This is not just a paperwork violation—it’s a fundamental failure to protect clean water,” Scott said in a press release. “Without monitoring, there’s no way to know what’s being discharged into the Spokane River, and without prevention measures, pollution is inevitable.”
Spokane Riverkeeper is committed to holding Purina Mills accountable and ensuring compliance with environmental laws. The lawsuit seeks to compel the company to collect and report discharge data, implement effective stormwater pollution prevention measures, and take responsibility for protecting the Spokane River.
