EPA v. WARE WWTP

Case summary

On April 1, 2024, EPA issued a Clean Water Act Administrative Order (Order) to the Town of Ware, Massachusetts for alleged violations of the copper limits contained in its National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit. The Town owns and operates a wastewater treatment facility that discharges to the Ware River. The Order provides a schedule for the Town to submit an engineering report outlining additional actions that the Town can take to improve copper removal and to implement such actions. The Order also requires annual copper reports outlining its progress. Massachusetts has not been delegated the Clean Water Act program, but EPA worked in close coordination with the Commonwealth on this matter. Residents of Ware live in a community impacted by environmental justice issues.

Defendants (1)

• Town of Ware, MANamed in complaintNamed in settlement

Facilities (1)

• WARE W W T P

  30 ROBBINS RD, WARE, MA, 01082

  Registry ID: 110070001153

Statutes cited

• CWA 301/402 — NPDES Permit Violations

Enforcement conclusions (1)

• WARE WWTPentered 2024-04-01

  Primary law: CWA

Timeline (3 milestones)

• 2024-04-01Complaint Filed/Proposed Order
• 2024-04-01Final Order Issued
• 2024-04-02Enforcement Action Data Entered