Press Release  Concord Oil Co. Assessed Penalty for Failing to Report Drinking Water Well Contamination at Harvard Residence

boston — BOSTON – The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) today announced it has assessed a $20,240 penalty to Concord Oil Co., Inc. of Concord after the company failed to promptly report the detection of petroleum compounds in a private water supply well, failed to conduct an Immediate Response Action to address the contamination, and failed to continually assess site conditions for the need to conduct an Immediate Response Action at a residence in Harvard, Mass.

After an audit of cleanup actions conducted by the company to address the release of oil at its bulk fuel storage facility on Depot Road in Harvard, MassDEP asked the company to sample private water supplies in the vicinity. The company found petroleum contamination in a private water sample, but failed to promptly report the discovery to MassDEP or undertake an Immediate Response Action to address the potential human health exposure.

“People conducting response actions to address a release of oil to the environment must continue to assess possible exposures to human health, including periodic sampling of nearby private wells,” said MassDEP Regional Director Mary Jude Pigsley. “Sample results that identify contaminants in a private well must be promptly reported to the Department and immediate action must be undertaken to mitigate potential or actual exposure.”

MassDEP is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management and recycling of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.

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