Merck to improve water discharge system

PHILADELPHIA, Dec. 13 (UPI) -- Drug giant Merck agreed to overhaul its disposal system and pay a fine for violating federal and state water pollution laws, the U.S. Justice Department said.

The violations occurred at Merck's pharmaceutical plant near Philadelphia.

Merck, a global drug research company, will spend $10 million to put into place systems that will prevent future discharges at its facility, the Justice Department said Thursday in a news release. Merck also will pay $1.5 million in penalties and civil damages for past violations to the U.S. government, the state of Pennsylvania and to the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.

"Perhaps more than anything else, this settlement says to every company that discharges dangerous chemicals as part of its operations that it is accountable to the environment and the community," said Pat Meehan, U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

Merck's actions led to an extensive fish-kill and caused the Philadelphia Water Department to shut down its drinking water operations, said Ronald Tenpas of the DOJ's Environment and Natural Resources Division.

"This settlement ensures that Merck will take steps to prevent future illegal discharges including installing an early warning system to protect drinking water," he said.