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Charlton commission hears DEP noncompliance, approves UV system parts to aid monitoring
Summary
Veolia told the Charlton Water and Sewer Commission the plant failed TSS and copper limits and that a DEP non‑compliance letter is being addressed; the commission approved $4,001.35 for Trojan Technologies UV sensors and readouts to improve monitoring.
Charlton’s Water and Sewer Commission on April 1 heard from Veolia staff that the town’s wastewater plant failed total suspended solids (TSS) and copper limits for the month and has received a non‑compliance letter from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (DEP). Dennis, the Veolia representative, said the firm drafted a reply and plan of action for the town to send; Dennis said the response is due by April 11.
"We failed TSS and copper for the month," Dennis said, and added that Veolia prepared a draft reply and will send it to town staff for submission. He told commissioners the reply and an associated plan are intended to show steps the plant will take to return to compliance.
To strengthen monitoring of the plant’s ultraviolet disinfection system, commissioners approved a $4,001.35 purchase of parts from Trojan Technologies. Dennis told the board two readouts and two sensors were not working and that functioning sensors are needed so staff can confirm each UV bank is operating to capacity rather than relying on guesswork. A motion to approve the Trojan Technologies parts passed by roll call (aye recorded from the four members present).
Dennis also reviewed recent maintenance and equipment work at the plant: replacement of a poly pump and a caustic pump (he noted a $3,500 approximate replacement cost per pump), installation of new ferric pumps that have reduced chemical usage, and new safety barriers and signage for the lab area.
The commission discussed several operational items Dennis raised, including continued investigation of infiltration and inflow during spring melt and site‑specific issues at the Vine Road pump station. Dennis said some check valves on the discharge side at Vine Road rotted and need replacement to stop recirculation between pumps. He also reported five to six grinder‑pump service calls in March and seasonal increases in calls as lake properties come back into regular use.
Next steps: Veolia will finalize the DEP reply and plan of action for the town to submit by the April 11 deadline. The Trojan Technologies purchase was approved and will be added to operations work. Commissioners did not set additional immediate policy actions during the meeting.
