BOSTON MA (3/11/2015) ? The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) assessed a $5,000 penalty to Life Care Centers of America, Inc. following Groundwater Discharge Permit violations at its wastewater treatment facility (WWTF) serving the company?s Life Care Center of Nashoba Valley location on Foster Street in Littleton.

During two different periods in 2013 and 2014, MassDEP inspected the facility, formerly known as the Littleton House Nursing Home, and identified numerous maintenance issues, excessive solids in the tanks and sand filter clear well, and effluent violations for nitrogen. After several unsuccessful attempts to correct the violations, the company reached a settlement with MassDEP to establish an enforceable schedule to restore proper operation of the treatment facility.

Under the terms of a consent order, the company will conduct an evaluation of all treatment units in the WWTF and submit a schedule for operational modifications and physical upgrades to MassDEP for review and approval, limit the use of quaternary ammonia-containing cleaning products at the facility, and develop an updated operation and maintenance plan.

?Proper operation and maintenance of this facility is essential to protect the surrounding groundwater quality,? said Lee Dillard Adams, director of MassDEP?s Central Regional Office in Worcester.

CONTACT: Ed Coletta 617-292-5737