EPA v. RANDOLPH HOLBROOK JOINT WATER BOARD

Case summary

On May 15, 2023, the Region issued an administrative order (AO) to the Randolph-Holbrook Joint Water Board (serving the Towns of Randolph and Holbrook, Massachusetts) requiring that the Board to take actions to address unpermitted discharges from its drinking water plant's (Plant's) sedimentation tank into Great Pond. The AO requires the Board to evaluate environmental harm caused by the unpermitted discharges. The Board must submit and implement a plan for remediation of environmental harm and removal of accumulated solids. The Board must also complete construction and commence operation of a new drinking water plant and cease all discharges from the current Plant. It is estimated the new drinking water plant will cost $122 million. For the interim period before the Plant ceases operation, the AO requires the Board to submit and abide by an Operations Plan to minimize impacts of the Plant's discharges, and includes the development of a Best Management Practices Plan. Residents of these Towns are impacted by Environmental Justice issues. The Region worked in close coordination with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection in this matter.

Defendants (3)

• MA Joint Water BoardNamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• Town of Holbrook, MANamed in complaintNamed in settlement
• Town of Randolph, MANamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• RANDOLPH-HOLBROOK W T P

  275 POND STREET, RANDOLPH, MA, 02368

  Registry ID: 110006744997

Statutes cited

• CWA 301/402 — NPDES Permit Violations

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• RANDOLPH HOLBROOK JOINT WATER BOARDentered 2023-05-15

  Primary law: CWA

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2023-05-15Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2023-05-15Final Order Issued
• 2023-05-16Enforcement Action Data Entered