Blue Water Baltimore and Chesapeake Legal Alliance file suit against Fleischmann’s Vinegar for violating Clean Water Laws

Baltimore, MD—Blue Water Baltimore, represented by the Chesapeake Legal Alliance, filed suit today against Fleischmann’s Vinegar Company, Inc. and its parent company, Kerry, Inc., for unauthorized discharges of pollutants into the Jones Falls, a tributary to the Baltimore Harbor and tidal Patapsco River.

Concerns about the facility first arose during a fish kill in September 2021, followed by a second fish kill in October 2022 near the plant at 1900 Brand Avenue in Baltimore. Both incidents, accompanied by a strong vinegar odor, were reported to Blue Water Baltimore by residents. Investigations since then have documented ongoing acid discharges flowing through cracks and fissures in the facility’s concrete walls directly into the Jones Falls, in violation of federal and state environmental laws.

The lawsuit, filed under the federal Clean Water Act, allows affected community members to hold polluters accountable. Blue Water Baltimore pursues this action on behalf of its members and Baltimore residents to ensure compliance with environmental protections. A 60-day notice of intent to sue was filed by Chesapeake Legal Alliance on January 17, 2023, as required under the Clean Water Act.

“Fleischmann’s must stop these unpermitted discharges immediately,” said Alice Volpitta, Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper with Blue Water Baltimore. “We are taking legal action today on behalf of our members so that we can protect and restore the Jones Falls stream.”

“These pollution discharges are clear violations of the Clean Water Act, and we are exercising our legal right to hold Fleischmann’s and Kerry, Inc. accountable,” said Angela Haren, Senior Attorney at Chesapeake Legal Alliance. “We look forward to working with all parties including the Maryland Department of the Environment to stop the pollution immediately.”

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Blue Water Baltimore, home of the Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper, is a local 501(c)(3) nonprofit watershed organization with a mission to restore the quality of Baltimore’s rivers, streams, and Harbor to foster a healthy environment, a strong economy, and thriving communities.

Chesapeake Legal Alliance is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to providing free legal services, with amission to apply the power of the law to protect and restore clean water and promote healthy, resilient ecosystemsfor communities across the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Alice Volpitta, Blue Water Baltimore, avolpitta@bluewaterbaltimore.org, (410) 236-9136

Angela Haren, Chesapeake Legal Alliance, angela@chesapeakelegal.org, (415) 310-3550