Campbell’s Soup admits to dumping waste in Ohio river, violating Clean Water Act more than 5,000 times

A grocery store mainstay brand has admitted to dumping in the Maumee River.

According to a lawsuit filed this month by Environment Ohio, Lake Erie Waterkeeper and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Campbell’s Soup Co. has admitted to dumping waste from its Toledo plant into the Maumee River from April 2018 until December 2024, violating the Clean Water Act at least 5,400 times.

The lawsuit was filed in March of 2024. Campbell’s admitted to the dumping on Sept. 15.

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“This excessive pollution ends up in the Maumee River, which flows into the Western Basin of Lake Erie and is beloved and heavily used by boaters, hikers, fishermen, and conservationists,” a statement from the National Environmental Law Center reads, stating the waste was bringing “excessive amounts of phosphorus, nitrogen, E. coli bacteria, oil and grease” and more into the river.

According to the statement, both parties anticipate a 2026 trial to determine the company’s potential punishment.

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