EPA v. GOSNOLD TOWN OF

Case summary

Region 1 issued a Clean Water Act Administrative Order to the Town of Gosnold, Massachusetts on Cuttyhunk Island for violations of its NPDES Permit. According to the 2010 Census, the Town has a population of 75 people and a median household income of $28,750. The Town’s NPDES Permit authorized the discharge of untreated wastewater to Vineyard Sound for a twenty year period, or until the completion of a wastewater treatment facility, whichever was sooner. To avoid the cost of building a treatment plant, the Town has been implementing a program to disconnect the buildings that discharge sewage to the collection system, which also conveys stormwater to the Vineyard Sound. Progress has been slower than expected, however, and 10 residents and three municipal sewage systems remain connected. The Order requires the Town to either complete the design of the wastewater treatment facilities necessary to achieve compliance with its NPDES permit and the CWA or to demonstrate that all sewer connections have been removed and the collection system contains only uncontaminated stormwater. The Town has expressed its intent complete its sewage disconnect program, but has asserted that the equipment for completing the necessary work is not available on Cuttyhunk and that there are limited contractors willing to undertake the additional effort of conducting work on the Island. In light of this situation, the Region is providing one year for the town to complete the required work.

Defendants (1)

• GOSNOLD TOWN OFNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• CUTTYHUNK ISLAND

  OFF THE ROAD TO THE CEMETERY, GOSNOLD, MA, 02713

  Registry ID: 110013916423

Statutes cited

• CWA 301 — NPDES Discharge without a Permit

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• GOSNOLD TOWN OFentered 2014-09-25

  Primary law: CWA

Timeline (4 milestones)

• 2014-09-25Final Order Issued
• 2014-10-03Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2016-03-03NPDES Closed
• 2016-03-03Enforcement Action Closed