The new rule involves a major shift in the technology-based effluent limitations guidelines and standards (ELGs) for the meat and poultry industry, threatening their livelihoods by forcing them to add water filtration systems to their facilities. What does this mean to small meat processing facilities? It's been reported that the initial cost to install a water filtration system bringing them into compliance would be $300,000-400,000 with a minimum of $100,000 annual maintenance. This would force many small meat-processing facilities to shutter their doors.