MassDEP Reaches Agreement with the City of Lawrence to Improve Operations at Water Treatment Plant
$39,500 penalty can be reduced through demonstrated compliance

The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) has reached agreement in a consent order with the City of Lawrence to bring the operations of its new water treatment plant into compliance with state and federal Safe Water Drinking Act regulations.

A penalty of $39,500 can be reduced – a total of $20,000 suspended – if the city complies with all the terms and conditions contained in this order.

“Providing a safe and reliable water supply to the people of Lawrence is essential from a public health perspective and public safety as well,” said Richard Chalpin, director of MassDEP’s Northeast Regional Office in Wilmington. “After constructing a new water treatment plant, the citizens of Lawrence have every right to expect they will receive a safe and reliable source of drinking water.”

MassDEP initiated this latest enforcement discussion after numerous inspections and a review of performance data from the new plant’s operations indicated inadequate security procedures, and non-compliance with the plant’s disinfection process, sampling protocols and turbidity requirements. 

In addition to paying a penalty, the city will take the following steps to improve operations at the water treatment plant: ensure that all perimeter gates and doors are secured at all times; provide an updated operations and maintenance plan; ensure the fluoride and chlorine dioxide systems are operating properly; and, ensure all alarms are operating properly.

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