Between May 2005 and June 2005, four overflow incidents released a combined total of more than 300,000 gallons of sanitary sewage resulting in discharges into the LaPlatte River and Monroe Brook.

The Agency investigation determined that the town was unaware of some of the overflows for several days at a time due to inadequate staffing levels and emergency response procedures - a violation of the town's discharge permit. As a result, the Agency was not notified of the overflows in a timely manner and the ability to provide public notification of the problem was hampered.

Approximately $50,000 of the SEP recovers the economic benefit the Town gained by failing to maintain adequate staff. The agreement signed by the Town and agreed to by the Environmental Court also requires that the Town maintain adequate staffing levels and retain an independent consultant to ensure the town's response procedures are adequate in the future. The town has already begun the process of hiring an additional wastewater operator.

Involved Program: Wastewater Management Division of the Department of Environmental Conservation
For Further Information please contact:
Attorney Laura Pelosi at 802-241-3820 or email to laura.pelosi@state.vt.us