Groton and Norwich will pay $614,330 in fine and upgrades to settle a claim by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that the cities violated federal clean air laws mean to prevent chemical accidents at drinking water treatment plants.
The cities used chlorine gas at their treatment plants to disinfect the water, which the EPA allows as long as necessary precautions are taken. EPA inspections of the Groton and Norwich plants founds these precautions were not being taken.
To resolve the issue, the two cities agreed to use sodium hypochlorite for water disinfection, as it is less hazardous and easier to handle than chlorine gas.
Groton will pay a penalty of $7,000 for its violations and another $449,000 to upgrade its water treatment plant to use sodium hypochlorite. Norwich will pay an $8,330 fine and another $150,000 in upgrades.
