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Apple Supplier Under Fire: Farmers Accuse Factory of Polluting Land and Water

A Plant in India’s Countryside Raises Alarms

Deep in southern India’s lush farmlands, where rice and vegetables thrive, a modern industrial plant hums with activity—producing components for iPhones. But this facility, operated by an Apple supplier, now stands at the center of a bitter dispute between industry and agriculture.

Warnings and Denials

In April, regulators flagged the factory for potential wastewater contamination, raising fears that groundwater—vital for nearby farms—had been compromised. The company responded swiftly, assuring officials that corrective measures were taken and no further action was required.

Yet the controversy refuses to fade.

Villagers report disturbing changes in their environment: soil emitting an unusual stench, wells with an odd taste, and murky water that no longer resembles the clear resource they once relied on. In May, a village doctor sent a letter to authorities, documenting thick, discolored wastewater seeping into farmland and blackened water in local wells.

Tests Reveal Contamination

Laboratory tests later confirmed the presence of bacteria typically found in sewage in two water samples collected from farms near the plant. Some residents also describe unexplained skin irritations, ailments they suspect are linked to the pollution.

Government health officials, however, remain cautious. A state-appointed doctor told Reuters that while concerns are noted, no definitive proof has been established tying the factory directly to the health issues.

The Factory’s Defense

The plant’s management denies any wrongdoing. After receiving the warning, the company submitted detailed reports to regulators, claiming full compliance with environmental standards. The facility, operational since 2021, primarily manufactures phone back covers for global markets.

But skepticism persists.

Farmers Fight Back with Evidence

Determined to expose what they believe is ongoing pollution, farmers have taken matters into their own hands. Photos collected by Reuters show discolored ponds on factory premises—ponds they argue are filled with untreated industrial runoff. Tensions escalated recently when a security guard allegedly drew a firearm after a farmer entered the property to photograph a suspected wastewater pond.

The images tell a stark story: greenish-tinted water in a nearby field, a color farmers insist is unnatural and directly tied to the factory’s operations.

Unanswered Questions

Neither Apple nor the factory owner has responded to requests for comment. While the state pollution control board closed its investigation following the company’s rebuttal, local health officials continue their own assessment. Their findings could determine whether generations of farming families will be forced to abandon land they have cultivated for decades.

For now, the debate remains unresolved—leaving farmers caught between their livelihoods and the promise of industrial progress.