In a riveting turn of events, a Berkshire Hathaway-owned developer finds itself in the throes of a federal lawsuit, embroiled in allegations of environmental misconduct. At the heart of this legal maelstrom is Clayton Properties Group, accused of turning creeks into murky channels of pollution in North Carolina.
Berkshire Hathaway Water Pollution Suit : The Torrent of Accusations
The environmental watchdog group, Sound Rivers, has cast a spotlight on Clayton Properties Group in a freshly amended lawsuit. The crux of the accusation? A blatant disregard for the federal Clean Water Act. Over the past year, Clayton allegedly turned a blind eye to water quality norms, erosion, sediment control requirements, and mandatory inspection and reporting duties at Sweetbrier, a sprawling 616-lot housing estate in Durham.
A Persistent Defiance in the Face of Warnings
Despite the storm of failed inspections and warnings about water quality breaches and insufficient sediment control, Clayton’s alleged environmental trespasses show no signs of abating, warns Sound Rivers. The group fears these violations will continue unchecked unless the court intervenes with a corrective action mandate.
Berkshire Hathaway Water Pollution Suit : Threat to a City’s Lifeline
The stakes are high, as the housing development borders Hurricane Creek and Martin Branch—tributaries feeding into Lick Creek. This waterway is no ordinary stream; it’s a lifeline, flowing into Falls Lake, the primary drinking water source for Raleigh and neighboring cities.
The Unfolding Environmental Drama
Since April 2022, county and external inspectors have been sounding alarms over failed erosion control measures at the Clayton development site, noticing evident sediment pollution in these waterways. The plot thickens with Durham County officials flagging 68 failures by February 2023, each a potential trigger for a notice of violation.
