Doughnut Sludge

If Krispy Kreme can plug sewers, imagine what it does to your arteries:

The company operates a plant in the Gunston Commerce Center industrial park in Lorton, Va., in suburban Washington. In May, Fairfax County sued Krispy Kreme, alleging that it had damaged the sewer system in much the same way as it damages human arteries. The county sought $2 million in damages, plus $18 million in civil penalties.

But Krispy Kreme managed to settle the whole thing for $750,000.

The Washington Examiner has been all over this story from the start (though it apparently hasn't yet covered the settlement). Leder was indeed correct about the doughnut sludge. In its lawsuit, the county alleged that "excessive quantities of highly corrosive wastes, doughnut grease and other pollutants" wrecked the surrounding sewerage. The company blamed the "faulty design and construction" of the sewer system.

Before this month's settlement, the dispute grew heated, with county officials saying Krispy Kreme belonged on the Clean Water Act's "Hall of Shame list," and with the company basically calling county officials a bunch of liars.