Sparta dairy farm fined more than $200K for wastewater violations

SPARTA, Wis. (WKBT) -- A dairy farm in the Sparta area has been ordered to pay over $200,000 for violations of Wisconsin wastewater laws.

Mlsna Dairy Supply in the Town of Leon is ordered to pay $209,641.47.

According to the Wisconsin DOJ, the dairy farm's owners allowed their discharge permit to expire in 2015 and didn't reapply. It goes on to say they also built a sand separation system without the required approval of the DNR.

The state alleged that the farm's lack of runoff control impacted water quality between 2015 and 2020.

The judgement references at least two incidents -- one in 2018 and another in 2021 -- where manure spilled and discharged into the Little La Crosse River.

Manure discharge can cause fish kills, according to the DNR.

Mlsna has since applied and been approved for a new permit as of fall 2023.

A Monroe County judge issued the forfeiture order on May 16.

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