Four Massachusetts waste companies have agreed to pay a total of $170,000 as part of a consent agreement with the U.S. EPA over alleged stormwater violations under the Clean Water Act.
E.L. Harvey & Sons, Trojan Recycling, Nauset Disposal Holdings and Arrowhead Environmental Partners allegedly discharged industrial waste into United States waterways without permits that are required under the CWA, according to the consent agreement.
The companies are indirect subsidiaries of Waste Connections. Waste Connections did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The complaint stemmed from EPA compliance inspections at several facilities in 2023. According to the consent agreement, EPA identified several incidents between 2022 and 2024 where the companies had discharged stormwater “associated with industrial activity” without a permit at seven locations.
Affected waters included the Paskamansett River, Weweantic River, Salisbury Plain River, Hedges Pond, Seine Pond and Bennetts Brook, EPA said.
EPA announced the final order on Dec. 9, which the agency said resolves EPA’s claims. The four companies now have coverage under the necessary permits for all facility locations named in the complaint, EPA said.
E.L. Harvey & Sons will pay $86,000 in penalties, while Trojan Recycling will pay $26,000, Nauset Disposal Holdings will pay $38,000 and Arrowhead Environmental Partners will pay $20,000, according to the consent decree.
