EPA v. SEARSPORT WWTF

Case summary

On December 7, 2020, EPA entered into a Clean Water Act administrative order on consent (Order) with the Town of Searsport, Maine. In September 2019, EPA denied the Town's 301(h) waiver request seeking a variance from the secondary treatment requirements of the Clean Water Act, and in doing so, made the Maine Department of Environmental Protection (MEDEP) the permitting authority. MEDEP issued the Town's permit on August 18, 2020 requiring the installation of secondary treatment at its wastewater treatment plant. The new permit established more stringent limits for BOD & TSS and a new seasonal limit for enterococci bacteria. The Order sets forth the schedule for construction of the Town's new wastewater treatment plant which includes secondary treatment, and for meeting enterococci bacteria, BOD and TSS limits in its Maine Pollutant Discharge Elimination System Permit.

Defendants (1)

• Searsport, ME Town ofNamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• SEARSPORT WWTF

  45 NAVY ST, SEARSPORT, ME, 04974

  Registry ID: 110011126968

Statutes cited

• CWA 301/402 — NPDES Permit Violations

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• SEARSPORT WWTFentered 2020-12-07

  Primary law: CWA

Timeline (5 milestones)

• 2020-12-07Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2020-12-07Final Order Issued
• 2020-12-08Enforcement Action Data Entered
• 2025-04-15Enforcement Action Closed
• 2025-04-15NPDES Closed