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Merrimack Valley
Lawrence cited for violations at brand-new water treatment plant
Published: May 4, 2007
LAWRENCE - During its first two weeks of operation last month, the city's new $26 million water treatment plant was cited by the state for violating safe drinking water regulations.
Samples of chlorine dioxide and chlorite - chemicals used for disinfection or oxidation of the water - were not tested to make sure they met required levels, according to a nine-page consent order signed yesterday by Mayor Michael Sullivan.
The new plant went into operation on April 3.
"From April 4, 2007 through April 17, 2007 the new plant was operated without any chlorine dioxide or chlorite testing equipment and the required daily samples for chlorine dioxide and chlorite were were not taken," the report said.
The state Department of Environmental Protection also noted leaks in the treatment system which enabled chlorine levels to dip below acceptable levels at the plant on April 10 and at the old plant on March 2. The agency fined the city $6,000 for the violations, but agreed to suspend payment of the penalty providing there are no further violations while the order is in effect.
If the city violates the conditions of the settlement, it would have to pay the fine in addition to $500 to $1,000 a day in penalties.
The violations were uncovered by the DEP in the midst of allegations being investigated by the city that water plant employees were falsifying records and tampering with equipment to cover up improper chlorine levels. The DEP order didn't mention the allegations, but imposed numerous compliance conditions involving plant security, maintenance, records-keeping, installation of certain equipment and training of staff.
Attempts to reach Mayor Sullivan for comment were unsuccessful.
"This is a brand new plant, but the city needs to fix the system so it doesn't happen again," said DEP spokesman Joe Ferson.
"There were no reports of anyone getting sick. The situation has been investigated and addressed. There will be additional follow-up to make sure the system complies with safe drinking water regulations," he said.
In signing the consent order, the city neither admits nor denies the allegations. As of yesterday, the plant's chlorine dioxide system and fluoridation system still were not operational and staff training had not been completed, according to the DEP.
Samples of chlorine dioxide and chlorite - chemicals used for disinfection or oxidation of the water - were not tested to make sure they met required levels, according to a nine-page consent order signed yesterday by Mayor Michael Sullivan.
The new plant went into operation on April 3.
"From April 4, 2007 through April 17, 2007 the new plant was operated without any chlorine dioxide or chlorite testing equipment and the required daily samples for chlorine dioxide and chlorite were were not taken," the report said.
The state Department of Environmental Protection also noted leaks in the treatment system which enabled chlorine levels to dip below acceptable levels at the plant on April 10 and at the old plant on March 2. The agency fined the city $6,000 for the violations, but agreed to suspend payment of the penalty providing there are no further violations while the order is in effect.
If the city violates the conditions of the settlement, it would have to pay the fine in addition to $500 to $1,000 a day in penalties.
The violations were uncovered by the DEP in the midst of allegations being investigated by the city that water plant employees were falsifying records and tampering with equipment to cover up improper chlorine levels. The DEP order didn't mention the allegations, but imposed numerous compliance conditions involving plant security, maintenance, records-keeping, installation of certain equipment and training of staff.
Attempts to reach Mayor Sullivan for comment were unsuccessful.
"This is a brand new plant, but the city needs to fix the system so it doesn't happen again," said DEP spokesman Joe Ferson.
"There were no reports of anyone getting sick. The situation has been investigated and addressed. There will be additional follow-up to make sure the system complies with safe drinking water regulations," he said.
In signing the consent order, the city neither admits nor denies the allegations. As of yesterday, the plant's chlorine dioxide system and fluoridation system still were not operational and staff training had not been completed, according to the DEP.
At least until Aug. 1, the city is being required to employ qualified consultant engineers to assist in operating the new plant 24 hours a day and to train operators of the new plant.
The city's water treatment plant has been the subject ongoing scrutiny by state and federal regulators for several years, and construction of the new plant was prompted by a federal consent order to meet water quality standards.
In March 1999, a federal grand jury indicted the city's former water chief, William J. McCarthy, on charges he faked the results of tests of the city's water quality. McCarthy pleaded guilty to 18 counts of filing false test results last year and received two years of probation.
