GEORGIA (From news reports) -- International Paper Company faces nearly $28,000 in state fines for discharging wastewater with unacceptable levels of potential fecal material from its Port Wentworth mill into the Savannah River over a six-month period in 2023, according to an order made public by Georgia environmental officials Monday.

The penalty also would apply to the unauthorized release in December of nearly 185,000 gallons of partially treated wastewater into a storm drain and ultimately into the river, the Georgia Environmental Protection Division noted in the document.

Monday's issuance of the consent order triggers a 30-day public comment period on the fine.

Under the settlement, International Paper also is required to submit and then implement a plan to meet state effluent standards.

Violations from May through October involved elevated amounts of enterococci bacteria, whose presence indicates possible contamination by human or animal waste, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.

However, the company says that does not appear to be the case at the Port Wentworth mill.

"Current data indicates the majority of the bacteria is non-human and from naturally occurring sources like wildlife and vegetation," International Paper spokeswoman Kristie Casler said in an email. "The mill is currently working with a third party to develop a river/harbor study for an alternative limit that would be protective of the environment. We are committed to being a good neighbor and operating our facilities in a safe and environmentally responsible manner through the submission of a monthly formal waste water report to the (Georgia) EPD."

The document notes that the Memphis, Tennessee-based maker of packaging, pulp and other fiber-based products discussed the likelihood that it would not meet fecal effluent standards in a meeting with EPD in February 2023.

EPD's order covers violations of the state's Water Quality Act punishable by up to $50,000 per day in fines.