Cytozyme to pay $2 million for SL County pollutant discharge

A South Salt Lake company offering products to enhance crop production has agreed to pay $2 million after pleading guilty to two counts of illegal pollutants discharge.

The Salt Lake County District Attorney’s Office filed the charges Oct. 27 in state court against Cytozyme Laboratories Inc., based at 2700 S. 600 W., alleging it put pollutants into the local sewer system.

The office said the plea was the result of nearly two years’ worth of investigatory work by the Investigations Division of the office, together with the work of local Environmental Protection Agency officers, the Salt Lake County Health Department, South Salt Lake Public Works and the Central Valley Water Reclamation Facility.

“Accountability matters,” said District Attorney Sim Gill. “This is one of the largest criminal fines a corporation has faced for polluting in Utah history. Our job is not only to help keep our community safe, but also our environment. Protecting our resources today insures a better future for our children and community.”

“The defendants in this case illegally discharged pollutants for years from their South Salt Lake, Utah, facility into the local sewer system,” said Special Agent in Charge Lance Ehrig of EPA’s Criminal Enforcement Program for the West-Central Area Office.  “This case shows that EPA and our law enforcement partners are committed to protecting community water systems and holding responsible those who violate water pollution regulations.”

The company’s website says that it has produced crop products since 1975. “Our naturally derived products help to ensure optimal food production, grower profitability and environmental health,” it says.