Vermont Business Magazine The Agency of Natural Resources Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) announced today that Cushing & Sons, Inc, was fined $12,750 for spilling chlorinated water into a stream in Hartland when it overfilled a company tanker truck.
Cushing & Sons is a New Hampshire-based company that drills residential drinking water wells throughout New England. On June 19, 2020, in the normal course of performing a job in Hartland, the company was using a tanker truck parked on the side of the road to withdraw water from Harlow Brook. The water was being mixed with chlorine in the tank for later use at the job site.
While withdrawing water, the truck operator became distracted by traffic congestion and the water tank overfilled, resulting in a discharge of 50-100 gallons of chlorinated water to Harlow Brook. An investigation the following day revealed more than 60 dead amphibians and fish including brook trout.
Vermont DEC helps protect and restore nearly 23,000 miles of rivers and streams and 800 lakes and ponds. Healthy ecosystems provide critical habitat for aquatic organisms and public recreational opportunities. However, chemical and other toxic substance spills pose a threat to people and the environment.
“Vermonters value clean water and appreciate the strong ecosystems in their local streams, lakes, and wetlands,” says DEC Commissioner Peter Walke. “Businesses are expected to exercise care and take precautions to avoid mishaps when using chemicals that can significantly harm those resources. We must hold people accountable when violations occur.”
Since the incident, the company has taken steps to minimize the potential for future spills of chlorinated water, including training employees in new procedures for using tanker trucks for mixing chlorine. The company also agreed to pay a $12,750 fine for the unpermitted discharge. The Vermont Superior Court, Environmental Division incorporated the agreement into a Final Judicial Order on April 5, 2021.
For more information about the State’s water resources, visit https://dec.vermont.gov/about-dec/a-z/water-topics. For information about unpermitted discharges, visit https://dec.vermont.gov/watershed/wastewater/discharge-notifications. Vermonters can find information about discharge permits here https://dec.vermont.gov/watershed/wastewater/discharge-permits.
Source: Montpelier, VT – The Agency of Natural Resources 4.7.2021