Ferguson v. Firmenich Manufacturing Co.

42 N.W. 448, 77 Iowa 576, 1889 Iowa Sup. LEXIS 246
Supreme Court of Iowa·Decided May 20, 1889·Published·Cited by 20 cases

Opinion

Robinson, J.

Plaintiff is the owner of four hundred and twelve acres of land, through which Linn creek flows from the southwest in a northeasterly direction, into the Iowa river. He resides upon this land, and uses it in part as a stock and dairy farm. The defendant operates a glucose factory, situate on the creek aforesaid, about half a mile southwest of the farm of plaintiff. Sheds for feeding cattle are located near the factory, and are used in connection with it. ' Plaintiff claims that in the years 1886-87-88 the defendant caused to be discharged into the creek, from its factory and cattle-sheds, large quantities of acids, poisons, manure and other filth, in consequence of which the water flowing therein was so polluted that it could not be used for stock or domestic purposes; that in consequence of such discharges the water of said creek emitted unwholesome and noxious vapors and odors; that by reason of the said acts of defendant the plaintiff and his family suffered and became sick, the products of his dairy were greatly injured, and the use of his farm, and stock.thereon, were greatly damaged; that before said acts of defendant were committed the said stream furnished excellent water, which was used by plaintiff for his stock, and for domestic purposes; that said stream furnishes the only running water on his farm; and that the said acts of defendant were wrongful. Defendant denies these claims of plaintiff, and alleges that the creek has for years taken and received the drainage and sewage of the southern and eastern part of Marshalltown, including that from slaughterhouses located thereon, factories, fat-rendering establishments, outhouses and other sources of filth, and that, in consequence its water becomes unfit for use. Defendant further claims that the contamination of the water, and the vapors and odors of which plaintiff complains, [578] are due to a slaughter-house which is maintained on his land, and for which he is responsible. The evidence shows that during the year 1887 the water of Linn creek, from a point above the glucose factory, to its confluence with the Iowa river, was in a foul and unwholesome condition, and that noxious odors were exhaled therefrom. Some of the evidence tended to show that acts authorized by defendant contributed largely to produce that condition. There was also some evidence which tended to show that plaintiff was partially responsible for the evils of which he complains.

1. riOTandfi?wer owners onw I. The relative rights of the upper and lower owners of lands intersected by a stream of water were considered to some extent in the case of Spence v. McDonough, ante, p. 460. We said in that case that the lower owner has the right to have the water which flows from the land of an upper owner in as pure and wholesome a condition as a reasonable and proper use of the stream by the upper owner will permit. The upper owner will not be allowed to poison or corrupt the stream. Washb. Easem. 332; 1 Hill, Torts, 601. In many cases he may use all of its water, to supply what are termed his natural wants, as for household purposes and for his stock, but cannot appropriate it all for so-called artificial purposes, as for manufacturing, to the damage of a lower owner. Washb. Easem. 330; Gould, Waters, sec. 205. The upper owner may, as a rule, use the stream in a reasonable manner, lor reasonable purposes, even as a means of carrying off waste matter. Whether the use to which he wishes to devote it is reasonable must be determined by the circumstances of the case. Washb. Easem. 326; Gould, Waters, sec. 206.

2.-: liability of upper owner eon-pollution*0 II. It is claimed by appellant that Linn creek, above the farm of plaintiff, has been used as a common sewer by the city and inhabitants. of Marshalltown for many years, and was so used . . . . during the time m question; that m consequence of such use its water was polluted and rendered unfit for domestic purposes and for stock, [579] and that defendant, at most, only contributed to the results of which plaintiff complains. But, if that be true, it would not relieve defendant from liability in this action. The right to so use the stream is not shown to exist. Plaintiff owned the land involved in this suit before such use of the stream was made, and had a vested right in it, of which he has not, so far as is shown, been deprived. If the claim of defendant be true, it could not escape responsibility for the wrong because others contributed to it. But plaintiff contends that, although the water of the creek had been somewhat contaminated by the sewage of the city and other causes, yet it was, and would have been, good for stock, and would have been free from noxious odors, but for the acts of defendant. Some of the evidence tends to support this claim, and, if it be well founded, the plaintiff should recover. Code, sec. 3331; Platt v. Railway Co., 74 Iowa, 131; Ewell v. Greenwood, 26 Iowa, 377; Wood, Nuis., sec. 445.

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Ferguson v. Firmenich Manufacturing Co., 42 N.W. 448, 77 Iowa 576, 1889 Iowa Sup. LEXIS 246 (iowa 1889).

42 N.W. 448 (Ferguson v. Firmenich Manufacturing Co.) — published by Counsel Stack Legal Research, free access to 12M+ legal documents.

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