Williamstown Restaurant Penalized $2,875
For Bypassing Drinking Water Treatment System

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has issued a $2,875 penalty to Richmore, Inc., owners of the 1896 House Restaurant in Williamstown, a public water system, for bypassing its drinking water treatment system.
 
The water facility's operator discovered the open bypass when he collected two rounds of water samples on November 6 and 9, 2007. Both samples showed the presence of total coliform bacteria. Total coliform samples are used as an indicator of the possible presence of more harmful pathogens in the water. The operator noticed the bypass was open, closed it and re-sampled the treated water. No bacteria were detected in the treated water. 

"Providing properly treated water, which in this case includes filtration and disinfection treatment, is essential to protect users from pathogens that may be present in the source water," said Michael Gorski, director of MassDEP's Western Regional Office in Springfield. "In addition to the penalty, MassDEP is requiring the severance of the bypass to prevent this from reoccurring."

MassDEP required the installation of treatment, which the restaurant completed in May 2006, due to the spring source's prior history of coliform bacteria contamination.

Richmore, Inc. also owns the 1896 Brookside Motel and 1896 Pondside Motel, which have the same type of treatment systems. MassDEP has also ordered that those bypasses be severed. The bypasses were intended for use only during routine maintenance of the equipment.

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