EPA v. MIDDLESEX SCHOOL WWTP

Case summary

The Middlesex School in Concord, Massachusetts owns and operates a wastewater treatment facility subject to an EPA-issued NPDES permit that includes effluent limits for copper, aluminum, BOD, seasonal phosphorus and ammonia nitrogen. In 2016, based on the school's violations of certain limits, EPA issued an administrative order requiring the school to submit an engineering evaluation to identify sources of copper in its wastewater, opportunities for source reduction, possible operational modifications of its treatment plant to reduce the quantity of copper, aluminum and phosphorus discharged, and if necessary additional treatment processes to achieve compliance with its permit limits along with a compliance schedule. The school failed to submit the information, and EPA initiated a penalty action. On December 13, 2018, EPA filed a consent agreement and final order. The school has agreed to pay a $5,000 penalty. EPA also issued a separate administrative order establishing a new schedule and additional requirements.

Defendants (1)

• Middlesex SchoolNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• MIDDLESEX SCHOOL WWTP

  1400 LOWELL ROAD, CONCORD, MA, 01742

  Registry ID: 110006744522

Statutes cited

• CWA 301/402 — NPDES Permit Violations

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• MIDDLESEX SCHOOL WWTPentered 2018-12-13

  Primary law: CWA

  Federal penalty: $5,000

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2018-12-13Final Order Issued
• 2018-12-13Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2019-01-31Enforcement Action Data Entered