NORFOLK, Va. (AP) -- Federal regulators have settled a complaint that accused the operators of a chemical plant in Franklin of spilling toxic substances into the Nottoway River.
The Environmental Protection Agency filed the complaint against Eastman Chemical Resins, Hercules and GEO Specialty Chemicals.
The Virginian-Pilot (http://bit.ly/r9FoZz ) reports that Hercules and GEO each agreed to pay $700,000 in civil penalties to settle the complaint. Eastman Chemical has already paid $365,000.
According to court documents, five spills occurred between 2005 and 2007. The river provides drinking water for Norfolk and Virginia Beach.
Hercules operated the entire plant until 2001, when it sold two units at the site to Eastman and GEO.