Source:  Chris Scott, MEATINGPLACE.COM, 1/12/11

A group formed to challenge a planned Sanderson Farms poultry processing plant in Nash County, N.C., want county and state authorities to look into company claims that the facility will use 1.5 million gallons of local water per day.

Officials from the Nash County Landowners Association said they want answers and clarifications from the N.C. Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources in light of 58 percent of the state being classified as in a drought. The group contends that drawing the estimated 1.5 million gallons per day that the plant is expected to need will negatively impact local residents who get their drinking water from wells.

In December, officials from the city of Rocky Mount said that the city treats about 11 million gallons of water per day in the summer and 9.6 million gallons in winter, making them confident about the city’s ability to supply drinking water for homes and businesses, even in a drought condition. Current plans reportedly call for Rocky Mount to sell the water to Nash County, which then will sell the water to Sanderson Farms, bringing in about $1 million to the city.

The Nash County Landowners Association formed in early January.

For more stories, go to www.meatingplace.com.