THE National Environment and Planning Agency (NEPA) said in a media release yesterday that it has served Wray and Nephew Limited, operators of Appleton Estate, with a warning for discharging “high-strength trade effluent” into the North Elim River, St Elizabeth.

The effluent is dunder, a yeast-rich by-product of rum distillation. It can be used in subsequent fermentations, and can be used as fertiliser, but can prove deadly to marine animals.

Since dunder is a by-product, NEPA does allow distilleries to release it into the environment, but under specific conditions detailed in a licence, including the level of concentration.

However, the wording of the release suggests that Appleton’s discharge was above the agreed concentration.

The agency said it got reports from residents and business entities and that its investigations led it to Appleton.

“The company has been ordered to cease the activity immediately and take measures to mitigate the impact of the discharge,” NEPA said.

The agency added that “further action will be taken” as the investigations continue.