HIGHGATE — The Vermont Egg Farms in Highgate will pay a $7,000 environmental penalty to settle a water discharge violation.

The Department of Environmental Conservation says it has reached a settlement with Dorchester Farm Properties, doing business as Vermont Egg Farms, which owns property in Highgate.

The department says the company discharged processed wastewater from its egg washing operation to an unpermitted underground injection well system on the property between August 2010 and March 2011.

The department says the company reported the violation in April 2011 after it found that workers were using the unpermitted disposal system. No discharge to surface waters occurred.

The company had been transferring the water to a neighboring farm for use until a pump broke. The state says the company replaced the pump in March 2011.