According to local media reports, the Bermúdez Tannery, based in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic, has been provisionally closed by the country’s environmental authorities due to the high level of pollution created by the facility and the owners have been fined DOP200,000 ($6,000). The order came following complaints that the tannery had contaminated the North Yaque River as well as the Santiago Aqueduct and Sewage System Corporation’s treatment plant.

Investigations prior to the shutdown confirmed that the tannery’s operators had dumped pollutant waste into the river and that the tannery’s treatment plant was not functioning properly.

The tannery, which produces leather for footwear, is owned by Carlucho Bermúdez and has been in operation for 30 years.