CONTACT: Anna Symington
413-755-2124
Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection

Franklin County, MA – April 22, 2003
Three Franklin County businesses that operate public water systems have been penalized $300 each by the Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) for submitting Consumer Confidence Reports that contained significant errors. The three are: Pond Ridge Condominiums of Sunderland, Cadwell Association, Inc. (Anchorage Nursing Home) of Shelburne, and Ralph Semb d/b/a Weatherheads of Erving.

A public water system is one that serves 25 or more people for more than 60 days per year. Each year, such systems must prepare a Consumer Confidence Report and distribute it to their customers. The report gives consumers information about the quality of the water they drink.

DEP ordered each system to correct its Consumer Confidence Report and distribute it to customers. The penalties and orders follow previously-issued notices of noncompliance.

?People in the Commonwealth expect that their drinking water is safe, whether drinking out of the tap at home or at a the local coffee shop or a roadside stand,? said Michael Gorski, director of DEP?s Western Regional Office. ?Accurate Consumer Confidence Reports and DEP inspections are valuable tools in helping us ensure that public water systems are safe.?

The Department of Environmental Protection is responsible for ensuring clean air and water, safe management of solid and hazardous wastes, timely cleanup of hazardous waste sites and spills, and the preservation of wetlands and coastal resources.