A racetrack operator has averted a court battle with the federal government in regard to racetrack wastewater having made its way into public waters.

An article by Courthouse News Service explains that the United States Government was set to head into a court battle with the New York Racing Association, the operator of Aqueduct Racetrack.

The government has claimed that between 2013 and 2014, at least 1.26 million gallons of wastewater from the track found its way into sewer systems. The wastewater from the track ended up in the Hawtree and Bergen Basins, and ultimately into Jamaica Bay, located near Long Island.

The two parties have reached an agreement that stipulates that NYRA will no longer discharge Aqueduct’s waste in that manner. As part of the deal, NYRA will also create a position where an employee is accountable to ensure the situation will not happen again.

The deal also stipulates that NYRA will also have to break up soil in some areas of Aqueduct to make sure water is absorbed better. The article states that 62 trees will also be plated in order to help absorb water.

The racing operator will also have to pay a $150,000 penalty under the deal.

(With files from Courthouse News Service)