NEW BERLIN – Following up a a number of odor complaints from local residents, the state Department of Environmental Conservation has warned the AgroFarma plant in New Berlin to take steps to improve the air and water quality of its generated waste or face daily fines.

The company makes Chobani brand yogurt at the site and has generated a larger than usual amount of milk and water waste in the last year as a result of increasing production and demand for its product, said DEC spokeswoman Diane Carlton.

“We aren’t looking to hurt any local business. We don’t want anyone to lose their job. We want to work with the company so we can both come up with a plan that’s best for the local community,” said Carlton.

According to New York State law, the agency could fine the yogurt plant up to $37,500 per day for each water quality violation, and between $375 and $15,000 per day for each air quality violation.

However, Carlton said she didn’t believe that was going to happen anytime soon as long as the company was working with the DEC on a plan to solve the issue.