Denali Water Solutions LLC collects organic byproducts from meat, dairy, food, pet food and other similar processing plants located in Missouri, Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Oklahoma and Tennessee. The process wastewater was stored at one of several Denali's Missouri locations before land applied as organic fertilizers and soil amendments to farmland.

On June 30, 2023, the department issued a statement to Denali and other facilities previously authorized to land apply certain sludges, biosolids and other process wastes without a permit according to 10 CSR 20-6.015(3)(B)8. Due to a decision by the Missouri Fertilizer Control Board, these companies and businesses are no longer exempt from department permitting requirements. The letter stated the department’s intent to exercise enforcement discretion for entities performing the continued land application of material formerly licensed as fertilizer, as long as the entity adhered to the minimum operational parameters and conditions set by the department in that letter, including the condition that the entity apply for an operating permit. On Nov. 29, 2023, the department withdrew the June 30, 2023, letter to Denali based on its land application noncompliance. Land application is prohibited without a valid permit or current permit exemption.

If a concerned citizen observes improper land application or runoff of applied material that is impacting waters of the state, they should contact the appropriate department regional office.

Compliance History

At this time, Denali has committed four violations that have not been resolved: Operating and maintaining a water contaminant source without a Missouri State Operating Permit (Gideon, Evans and Callao lagoons) and land application of process wastewater. The department is working to resolve the violations through formal enforcement action.

Note: Department-collected penalties are paid to the school district in the county in which the violations occurred; the department does not retain any collected penalties.

Callao Lagoon

Evans Lagoon

On May 17, 2023, Denali submitted a wastewater operating permit application for a land application permit and associated Waste Management Plan on July 18, 2023, for the Denali-Evans Lagoon (MO-0140325).

On the basis of preliminary staff review and applying applicable standards and regulations, the department proposed to deny the operating permit application. The department invited the public to review and offer written comments on the proposed action.

On Aug. 23, 2024, the department accepted Denali's request to withdraw the permit application.

Gideon Lagoon

On May 17, 2023, Denali submitted a wastewater operating permit application for a land application permit for the Denali-Gideon Lagoon (MO-0140309).

On the basis of preliminary staff review and applying applicable standards and regulations, the department proposed to deny the operating permit application. The department invited the public to review and offer written comments on the proposed action.

On Aug. 23, 2024, the department accepted Denali's request to withdraw the permit application.

Jacksonville Basin

On June 21, 2023, Denali submitted a wastewater operating permit application for a land application permit and associated Waste Management Plan. 

On the basis of preliminary staff review and applying applicable standards and regulations, the department issued a draft operating permit for public review and comment. The department invited the public to review and offer written comments on the draft permit and scheduled a public hearing as an opportunity for the public to provide verbal comments to the department. A final permit determination has not yet been issued.

Other Locations