Blue Water Baltimore and CLA Issue NOI to Sue Fleischmann’s Vinegar for Violations of Federal and State Clean Water Laws

Baltimore, MD—Blue Water Baltimore (BWB), represented by Chesapeake Legal Alliance (CLA), has issued a Notice of Intent to bring a lawsuit against Fleischmann’s Vinegar Company, Inc. for continued unauthorized discharges into the Jones Falls, a tributary of the Patapsco River in Baltimore. Acidic discharges from the facility have been entering the stream through fissures in the concrete building, located just 1,000 feet upstream of a popular trailhead for the Jones Falls Trail. High acidity levels, with pH measured as low as 3.72 compared to the baseline of 7.5, threaten aquatic life and the health of the waterway. BWB first became aware of these violations in September 2021 while investigating a fish kill near the facility. Following repeated reports of dead fish and strong vinegar odors in October 2022, BWB documented ongoing acetic acid discharges and alerted the Maryland Department of the Environment, which confirmed unauthorized pollution from the site.

BWB calls on Fleischmann’s to immediately bring its Baltimore facility into compliance with federal and state environmental laws. This Notice begins a 60-day period as required under the Clean Water Act, after which CLA, on behalf of BWB and its members, intends to pursue enforcement action to protect the Jones Falls and surrounding communities.

“This action puts the power of enforcement in the hands of the people," said Alice Volpitta, Baltimore Harbor Waterkeeper with Blue Water Baltimore. "Local residents first alerted us to these problems, and we gathered the data to back up those observations. Now, we are exercising our rights under the Clean Water Act to hold this company accountable and protect the Jones Falls on behalf of our members."

“Fleischmann’s violations degrade the local ecosystem, and hinder the public’s ability to enjoy and recreate in local waterways,” said Angela Haren, Senior Attorney for Chesapeake Legal Alliance. “We issued this notice with the goal of bringing the facility back into compliance as soon as possible.”

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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 a mission to apply the power of the law to protect and restore clean water and promote healthy, resilient ecosystems for communities across the Chesapeake Bay watershed.

Chris Landers, Blue Water Baltimore, clanders@bluewaterbaltimore.org, (410) 357-1407

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