The Environmental Protection Agency is investigating industrial pollution in Union County following reports of smelly, slimy residue in the Elizabeth River.

The EPA received a complaint about the residue in October, promoting it to launch an investigation. The agency started what it called a track down study to figure out where the pollution was coming from.

"It just smelled kind of weird as I walked past here," said Jordan Richinson, who walks past the river on his daily commute to work. He described the smell as, "like animal droppings a little bit, almost like rotten food."

The EPA said initial results from its investigation showed a nearby fruit and vegetable warehouse, Gargiulo Produce, was one of the sources of the pollution.

According to the EPA, improper drainage from the warehouse allowed discharge of food waste to get into the Hillside sewer system.

"That makes sense. That also explains the animals. They were probably coming over to eat it," Richinson said about the results of the investigation.

Photos from the EPA show produce scraps and contaminated liquid draining directly into a nearby sewer grate at the warehouse.

Additional images show crushed up produce in an outfall that discharges into Hillside's sewer system.

The EPA issued an order for the warehouse to stop the unauthorized discharge on Feb. 5 and the warehouse complied. However, the track down study was still ongoing as of Saturday.

The EPA said it will continue inspections to see if there are any additional pollution sources that could be contributing to the problem.