미국 환경보호청(EPA), 법무부(Department of Justice), 매사추세츠주(Commonwealth of Massachusetts)는 매사추세츠 주 로웰(Lowell) 시와 메리멕 강(Merrimack River)으로의 하·폐수 방류를 줄이기로 합의했다고 발표했다. 합의에 따라 로웰은 과거 위반에 대해 20만 달러의 벌금을 지불해야 한다.

로웰(Lowell)의 하·폐수 수집 시스템의 일부는 오수와 빗물 유출을 하나의 관로로 전달하는 합류식 하수관거로 구성돼 있다. 호우 발생 시 처리되지 않은 하수는 합류식 하수관거의 월류수(CSOs)로 인해 메리메 강과 비버 브룩(Beaver Brook)과 콩코드 강(Concord River)을 포함한 지류로 유출되며, 메리멕 강은 여러 하류 지역 사회의 식수원이다. 이번 합의는 하·폐수와 빗물을 분리하는 작업이 필요하며, 이는 처리되지 않은 하수가 인근 해역으로 유출되는 횟수를 최소화할 것이다.

로웰 시는 또한 도시의 빗물 시스템에 하·폐수를 방류하는 불법으로 연결된 관로를 감지하고 제거해 지역 하천과 강으로 유입되는 빗물의 오염을 줄이는 프로그램을 시행할 계획이다. 또한 로웰 시는 건설 및 건설 후 빗물 유출을 방지하는 데 도움이 되는 시 조례를 제정하고 시행해야 한다. 하수도 시스템을 개선하는 데 드는 총 비용은 약 1억9천500만 달러로 추정된다.

이번 합의는 EPA를 대신해 법무부가, 매사추세츠주 환경보호국을 대신해 매사추세츠주 법무장관실이 제기한 공동 집행 조치의 결과다.

데이비드 울만(David M. Uhlmann) EPA 집행 및 준수 보장 사무국 부국장은 "너무 오랫동안 메사추세츠 주 로웰 시는 식수를 위해 메리멕 강과 다른 수원에 의존하는 지역 사회를 보호하는 데 실패했다"면서 "이번 합의는 도시와 마을이 미국의 수로로 하수, 오염 물질, 그리고 쓰레기가 넘쳐나는 것을 방지하기 위해 「수질오염방지법」에 따른 그들의 의무를 반드시 이행하겠다는 EPA의 약속을 보여준다"고 말했다.

데이비드 캐시() EPA 뉴잉글랜드 지역 관리자는 "이 합의는 로웰 시와 메리멕 강 하류의 지역사회들에게 좋은 소식이며, 모든 시민들이 깨끗하고 건강한 환경을 즐길 수 있도록 보장하는데 특히 중요하다"면서 "EPA는 메리멕 강을 따라 있는 매사추세츠와 뉴햄프셔 시민들이 깨끗하고 안전한 물을 가질 수 있도록 우리의 노력을 계속하는데 전념하고 있다"고 말했다.

이번 합의는 미국의 물에 미처리 하수와 오염된 빗물이 유입되지 않도록 하기 위한 EPA의 지속적인 노력의 일부다. 도시 하수도에서 나오는 미처리 하수의 범람과 관리되지 못한 빗물의 유출은 질병을 유발하는 유기체, 금속 및 영양소를 포함해 지역사회의 수질을 위협하고 수인성 전염병 발생, 홍수 등 다양한 유해 오염 물질을 유발한다.

[원문보기]

United States and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Announce Settlement with City of Lowell to Address Pollution in Merrimack River

City to Invest Approximately $195 Million in Total to Upgrade Sewage Systems and Protect Drinking Water for Downstream Communities

Today, The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Justice Department and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts announced a settlement agreement with the City of Lowell, Massachusetts, requiring the city to reduce sewage discharges into the Merrimack River. Under the consent decree, Lowell will pay a $200,000 penalty for past violations.

A portion of Lowell’s wastewater collection system consists of sewers that convey sanitary sewage and stormwater runoff in a single pipe.  During wet weather, untreated combined sewage is discharged through combined sewer overflow (CSO) outfalls to the Merrimack River and its tributaries, including Beaver Brook and the Concord River. The Merrimack River is a drinking water source for several downstream communities. Today’s settlement requires work to separate wastewater and stormwater, which will minimize the number of times untreated sewage is released into nearby waters. 

Lowell will also implement a program to detect and eliminate illicit connections that discharge wastewater to the city’s stormwater system thereby reducing pollution in stormwater that flows into local streams and rivers. Lowell must also establish and implement city ordinances to help prevent stormwater runoff from construction and post construction sites.

The total cost to update the sewer system has been estimated at approximately $195 million.

This consent decree was the result of a joint enforcement action brought by the Justice Department on behalf of the EPA, and the Massachusetts Attorney General’s Office, on behalf of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection.

“For far too long the city of Lowell, Massachusetts has failed to protect the communities that rely on the Merrimack River and other water sources for their drinking water,” said Assistant Administrator David M. Uhlmann of EPA’s Office of Enforcement and Compliance Assurance. “Today’s settlement demonstrates EPA’s commitment to ensure cities and towns meet their obligations under the Clean Water Act to prevent the overflow of sewage, pollutants, and debris into our nation’s waterways.”

“Today’s settlement will result in cleaner and healthier water for the residents of Lowell and downstream communities, including some with environmental justice concerns, that rely on the Merrimack River for drinking water,” said Assistant Attorney General Todd Kim of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division. “The Justice Department is committed to upholding our nation’s water protection laws for the benefit all.” 

“With this consent decree, the City of Lowell is taking necessary steps to further protect Lowell’s historic river ecosystem and improve the quality of the Merrimack River for its residents,” said Massachusetts Attorney General Andrea Joy Campbell.  “These measures are critical as we continue our work to ensure that all of our residents live in a healthy and safe environment.”

“This settlement is good news for Lowell and for communities downstream who will be better able to enjoy healthful activities on and near the Merrimack River. The Merrimack flows through several historically disadvantaged communities, so this settlement is especially important for ensuring that all citizens can enjoy a clean and healthy environment,” said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. “EPA is committed to continuing our work to ensure that Massachusetts and New Hampshire citizens along the Merrimack River have clean and safe water. The timing of this is fortunate, as funding assistance available in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law may help defray costs borne by local ratepayers.”

“We are proud to have worked alongside our colleagues at the Attorney General’s Office and with our federal partners to make significant progress toward reducing contamination in the Merrimack River,” said Commissioner Bonnie Heiple of the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection. “The Healey-Driscoll Administration is committed to addressing complex issues like combined sewer overflows head-on, using all available tools – including technical support, funding, and enforcement – to promote better environmental and public health outcomes.”

This settlement is part of EPA’s continuing efforts to keep raw sewage and contaminated stormwater out of our nation’s waters. Raw sewage overflows and inadequately controlled stormwater discharges from municipal sewer systems introduce a variety of harmful pollutants, including disease causing organisms, metals and nutrients that threaten our communities’ water quality and can contribute to disease outbreaks, beach and shellfish bed closings, flooding, stream scouring, fishing advisories and basement backups of sewage.

Lowell owns and, through the Lowell Regional Wastewater Utility, operates the Duck Island Clean Water Facility, a 32 million gallon per day secondary wastewater treatment facility that discharges to the Merrimack River. The treatment facility treats wastewater not only from Lowell but also from the Towns of Chelmsford, Dracut, Tewksbury and Tyngsboro, Massachusetts.

Lowell had previously signed a consent decree with the federal government and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 1988 to address its illegal CSO discharges. While several interim actions have taken place, Lowell has not yet fully complied with the federal and state environmental statutes. More information on EPA’s efforts to address water quality issues can be found on the agency’s Merrimack River website.

The Justice Department’s Environmental Enforcement Section filed today’s proposed consent decree in U.S. District Court for the District of Massachusetts. It is subject to a 30-day public comment period and court approval. A copy of the consent decree will be available on the Justice Department’s website.

[출처 = EPA(United States and Commonwealth of Massachusetts Announce Settlement with City of Lowell to Address Pollution in Merrimack River | US EPA) / 2월 5일]

[번역 = 배민수 부장]