EPA Issues Administrative Order Requiring Town of Epping Take Corrective Actions to Eliminate Discharge of Untreated Wastewater into Lamprey River

May 15, 2023

BOSTON (May 15, 2023) – Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced the issuance of an Administrative Order (AO) requiring the Town of Epping, NH to complete timely corrective actions at the Town's wastewater treatment facility. On multiple occasions starting in December 2021, the Town has bypassed certain treatment processes and discharged partially treated wastewater into the Lamprey River, in violation of its Clean Water Act discharge permit.

"The violations at the Epping wastewater treatment facility are very serious. This order will help ensure clean drinking water for the downstream communities of Durham and the University of New Hampshire," said EPA New England Regional Administrator David W. Cash. "The Lamprey River is also a popular recreational waterway that empties into ecologically sensitive Great Bay. Today's action will safeguard water quality and protect public health and the environment."

The AO requires the Town to complete all work on a Short-Term Corrective Actions Plan by December 31, 2023, including eliminating the discharge of partially treated wastewater, and submitting to EPA and the New Hampshire Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) a Long-Term Corrective Actions Plan by June 30, 2024. The AO also requires the Town to evaluate additional wastewater treatment options and ensure that its plant operator and backup operator satisfy the stringent state requirements for such positions.

"NHDES supports EPA in issuing this Administrative Order to ensure that the Town achieves compliance with its discharge permits in the most expeditious manner," said Robert R. Scott, Commissioner, NHDES. "Continued action is crucial to making sure the Lamprey River is protected for its many uses which includes its important role as a source of drinking water for UNH and Durham."

The Administrative Order also requires the Town to:

The UNH-Durham water system intake is more than 11 miles downstream and has avoided use of the Lamprey River supply during the bypass operations, such that there is no impact to the drinking water supply. Testing of the Lamprey River is being performed to ensure that bacteria levels have not increased. UNH-Durham drinking water system also undergoes rigorous water quality testing to ensure ongoing compliance with all drinking water standards.