KO · News · 20260921N

Lake Washington Pollution Lawsuit

COCA COLA CO · 2026-09-21 · Importance 11 · Surprise 42

Waste Action Project sued Swire Coca-Cola USA and Western Washington Coca-Cola Bottling LLC in Washington state over alleged violations of federal Clean Water Act stormwater requirements at the Bellevue facility. The group alleges repeated runoff containing zinc, copper, turbidity, and other pollutants reached waterways leading to Lake Washington. It is seeking a court order requiring compliance, environmental remediation, and civil penalties. Swire Coca-Cola said it was taking the concerns seriously and pursuing continuous improvement, while the reports noted no prior enforcement action by the EPA or Washington Department of Ecology.

Key facts

• Waste Action Project has filed a lawsuit against Swire Coca-Cola, USA and Western Washington Coca-Cola Bottling LLC alleging repeated violations of federal stormwater rules at their Bellevue facility. source
• Waste Action Project is seeking a court order for compliance with the Clean Water Act, environmental remediation, and civil penalties in its lawsuit against Swire Coca-Cola, USA and Western Washington Coca-Cola Bottling LLC. source
• Local reporting on September 21, 2026 states that Waste Action Project sued Swire Coca-Cola, USA and Western Washington Coca-Cola Bottling for allegedly polluting Lake Washington with runoff from its Bellevue facility. source
• The lawsuit cites the company's own data which repeatedly showed excessive levels of zinc, copper, and other pollutants at the Bellevue facility, according to the MyNorthwest report. source
• According to reporting, there has been no prior enforcement action from the EPA or Washington Department of Ecology related to the Bellevue facility matters cited in the lawsuit. source
• Swire Coca-Cola stated it is taking the concerns seriously and is committed to continuous improvement of its environmental practices in response to the lawsuit. source