Manchester fined $131K by EPA, will spend $6M to reduce mercury pollution from sewage incinerator

MANCHESTER — After negotiations with the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the city has agreed to spend more than $6 million to install mercury pollution control systems at its sewage incinerator.

In July 2016, the agency cited Manchester for failing to implement the changes to its incinerator required by the Clean Air Act. As part of the settlement, Manchester has agreed to pay a $131,800 fine in addition to the costs of installing and operating the anti-pollution systems.

“This agreement means cleaner air for communities in Manchester and improves the city’s compliance with important clean air laws,” EPA New England Regional Administrator Alexandra Dunn said in a statement. “EPA is committed to working with cities like Manchester to reduce air pollution from sewage sludge incinerators in order to protect public health.”

The incinerator is used to dispose of sewage sludge, a by-product of sewage treatment, from Manchester, Bedford, Goffstown, and Londonderry.

Read more: http://www.unionleader.com/environment/mancheseter-fined-131k-by-epa-will-spend-6m-to-reduce-mercury-pollution-from-sewage-incinerator-20180913