Environmental Programs

The goal of the U.S. Poultry & Egg Association's Environmental Program is to serve as the industry resource for environmental concerns. We keep poultry leaders abreast of the latest federal regulations and provide technical expertise to help maintain and grow a healthy food supply.

USPOULTRY's Clean Water Award

The Clean Water Award recognizes outstanding wastewater treatment facilities operated by poultry companies. An award is presented yearly in two categories: full treatment and pretreatment. Full treatment facilities are those facilities that fully treat their wastewater prior to discharging the effluent into a receiving stream or a land application system. Pretreatment facilities are those facilities that discharge pretreated effluent to publicly owned wastewater treatment facilities for further treatment. Any USPOULTRY member company is eligible to submit up to three nominees in each category. Facilities that have previously won the award may not be renominated for five years.

2024 Pretreatment Winner

John Soules Foods was named the winner in the pretreatment category for its Valley, Ala. facility. From left to right are Shane Reid, vice president, Reid Engineering; Paul Bredwell, executive vice president of regulatory programs, USPOULTRY; Eric McClanahan, environmental/wastewater supervisor, John Soules Foods; Cohan Sharp, plant manager, John Soules Foods; Robert Fleming, safety manager, John Soules Foods; and Dr. Brian Kiepper, associate professor, University of Georgia.

2024 Full Treatment Winner

Keystone Foods was chosen as the winner in the full treatment category for its broiler processing facility in Albany, Ky. From left to right are Reid; Bredwell; Jason York, complex environmental manager at Keystone Foods; and Kiepper.

2024 Full Treatment Honorable Mention

Pilgrim's was recognized with an honorable mention with distinction in the full treatment category for their facility in Russellville, Ala. From left to right are Reid; Bredwell; Kevin Milner, regional environmental manager at Pilgrim's; and Kiepper. Not pictured: Dave Fischer, complex environmental manager at Pilgrim's.