Three related real estate development, construction and engineering companies have been fined $150,000 for illegally discharging polluted stormwater from multiple construction sites in Massachusetts, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. 

In addition, the companies will perform a Supplemental Environmental Project ("SEP") valued at approximately $300,000 which will further reduce stormwater pollution to the environment.

Several EPA inspections revealed that Fafard Real Estate and Development Corp., FRE Building Company Inc., and Benchmark Engineering Corp. engaged in construction activities at approximately 13 construction sites in Eastern Massachusetts, including sites in Holliston, Natick, Uxbridge, Milford, Marlborough, without having, or without fully complying with, federal stormwater permits. 

Of particular concern, were sites where practices were not being implemented to reduce the impact of stormwater discharges on the environment from these construction sites, according to EPA.

If the court approves a federal consent decree which was lodged in the federal district court of Massachusetts today, the companies will pay a cash penalty of $150,000 to resolve the violations. 

In addition, Fafard will implement a SEP in the form of imposing a permanent restriction on land that it will offer to donate to the town of Uxbridge to be preserved for environmental conservation and stormwater management. Fafard will also construct two water quality basins and associated stormwater management infrastructure on the land to reduce stormwater runoff impacts. The SEP will greatly reduce the amount of Total Suspended Solids that get washed into a stream that runs through the land each year, according to EPA. The SEP is estimated to cost Fafard $300,000.