Environmental Groups Sue Over Ammonoosuc River Pollution

CONCORD, N.H. - Two environmental groups filed a federal lawsuit in the U.S. District Court in Concord alleging two companies have contaminated the Ammonoosuc River with illegal discharges of pollutants from the Bethlehem Landfill.

According to a statement from Conservation Law Foundation, Casella Waste Systems, Inc. and North Country Environmental Services, Inc. used a drainage channel containing leachate and contaminated groundwater from the landfill and discharged it into the river, in violation of the federal Clean Water Act.

These discharges contain elevated levels of iron, manganese, and 1,4-dioxane (a suspected carcinogen).

“Casella has a track record of releasing harmful contaminants into the environment, and this is not the first time the company has failed to protect New England waterways,” said Woody Little of Toxics Action Center in a statement. “Residents are rightfully concerned about the health of the river, which is part of why they voted in March against the expansion of the landfill. That’s the twelfth time Bethlehem has voted against expansion in 31 years. We’re proud to stand with them today.”

The Clean Water Act prohibits the discharge of pollutants from sources like the Landfill’s drainage channel unless the discharger has gone through the process of obtaining a National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System permit. According to the CLF, neither Casella nor North Country Environmental Services has applied for, or received, such a permit.

The lawsuit comes after residents of Bethlehem again rejected Casella’s bid to expand the size of the landfill in March.

The Bethlehem Landfill is operated by Casella, one of the largest waste collection firms in the northeast, and its subsidiary North Country Environmental Services (which also owns the landfill).

“Casella must finally be held responsible for its illegal discharges of pollutants into the Ammonoosuc River,” said Tom Irwin, Director of Conservation Law Foundation New Hampshire. “Unfortunately, this pollution is another sign that landfills are dangerous and not a sustainable solution to our waste problems. It’s time to stop expanding toxic landfills and start protecting communities by reducing waste at its source through recycling and other efforts.”

Courtesy Photo / Upper Ammonoosuc River by Alexius Horatius