Both environmentalists and public health groups have long been worried about toxic discharges from paper mills using chlorine bleach.
The Savannah River has the fourth-highest toxic discharge in the country, according to a 2009 report by Environment America.
An aluminum plant north of here had been emitting seventy thousand tons of toxic discharges into the air every year.
Some examples include agricultural and industrial runoff, increased sedimentation from land clearing, human sewage and toxic discharges.
John Hancock, county pollution officer, said the latest incident involved 'a toxic discharge of some sort'.
And rather than reduce its toxic discharges into the Ottawa River, it prefers to take the state to administrative court.
Wetlands are vital as dilution areas for toxic discharges.
The toxic discharges of industrial plants had made the fish scarce enough before.
The Quinnipiac River, especially its southern part, is home to many industries and has suffered from repeated toxic discharges.
Fourteen new environmental laws were issued, including a Water Pollution Act and nationwide regulations of toxic discharges.