Swampscott Will Pay Federal Penalty for Water Pollution Discharged Near Beaches

The Town of Swampscott agreed to pay a $65,000 civil penalty and take “critical remedial action” related to pollution the town discharged into the ocean and near local beaches.

Swampscott entered into the consent decree Friday, which resulted from a federal enforcement action brought by the U.S. Department of Justice, on behalf of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), according to a statement from U.S. District Attorney Carmen Ortiz’s office. The complaint filed with the consent decree alleges that Swampscott “discharged pollutants into its storm water drainage system in violation of its permits.”

“By entering this consent decree, Swampscott will take the steps necessary to stop pollutants from entering Massachusetts and Nahant Bays,” said Ortiz in the statement. “Swampscott is required to locate the source of all unauthorized discharges that enter its storm drains and eliminate them. Successful implementation of the consent decree will result in cleaner storm water system discharges and a healthier environmental for all.”

According to the statement, multiple water samples the EPA collected from Swampscott’s outfalls between 2010 and 2012 revealed that the town was discharging multiple pollutants into the waters off Massachusetts Bay and Nahant Bay. The pollutants included e. coli, enterococcus bacteria, ammonia, and pharmaceutical and personal care products, the statement said.

“The Town continues to discharge untreated wastewater containing sewage and other pollutants from its systems into these waters,” the statement continued.

Under the consent decree, Swampscott must adhere to a strict schedule of monitoring and screening its storm water outfalls. When pollutants are found, the town must eliminate the offending flows.

The $65,000 civil penalty is for Swampscott’s violations of the Clean Water Act.

The consent decree is subject to a 30-day public comment period as well as approval by the federal court.