SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) -- A paper factory in central Puerto Rico was designated a federal environmental cleanup site Wednesday.
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency said hazardous chemicals coming from the Papelera Puertorriquena plant in the mountain town of Utuado could be polluting a river, leading to its addition to the Superfund National Priorities list.
The company's owner, Jose Rios Montalvo, said it is cooperating with authorities.
"We are a responsible company, so we will be working with everyone we need to work with," he said.
The plant has operated more than 40 years along a river that feeds a reservoir and fishery. It leaks ink and other liquid waste into the river and soil and industrial cleaning compounds have been found in the discharges, the EPA's news release said.
EPA spokeswoman Beth Totman said the agency will do an environmental assessment that could take several years and develop a cleanup plan. Companies found liable for pollution at Superfund sites can face fines and executives deemed responsible can get prison time.
The factory is among 15 places in Puerto Rico on the Superfund list, which contains a total of 1,271 sites.