The state’s environmental enforcement agency and the town of Randolph reached a $56,350 settlement last week over the discharge of human waste and other sewage into the White River.
Department of Environmental Conservation’s Compliance and Enforcement Division (CED) in 2012 responded to an anonymous complaint and found toilet paper, human waste and grease flowing from the town’s wastewater treatment facility into the Third Branch of the White River.
The agency later discovered that two aerators designed to remove the waste were not working. The aerators were filled with the incorrect amount of oil and caused the gearbox to fail, the agreement states. The agency says the facility did not notify the state that the aerators were broken.
In November 2012, the agency found that the town’s chlorine contact tank contained floatables, sludge and grease, which it says was due to lack of cleaning and maintenance. By Jan. 11, 2013, the operator had cleaned the tank.
In addition to a $28,175 fine, the town will contribute $28,175 to a Supplemental Environmental Project. The project is designed to improve water quality and must not be one the town has already budgeted.
John Zaikowski is a staff attorney with DEC’s enforcement division. He said if the state does not approve the project, it will add money to the fine.
The town agreed to have an independent consultant evaluate the facility and submit a report to the state for review, according to the settlement.
Settlement Document:
