Veolia reports staff departures, equipment failures at Charlton wastewater plant

Dennis, Veolia's new project manager at Charlton's wastewater facility, told commissioners that April included several staffing losses and multiple equipment failures that disrupted operations.

"One of our employees just handed over his keys and walked out," Dennis said, noting Vinny had resigned but remained with the operation while the plant transitions. He said a last remaining employee is working part time and will leave on June 16; Veolia has been using staff from Sturbridge and an experienced O&M employee from Lynn to cover shifts.

On equipment, Dennis reported a UV train outage caused by a bad power socket that has been repaired, and several catastrophic failures in the equalization (EQ) tank area where burned underground wiring and melted insulation led to short circuits and damaged variable-frequency drives (VFDs). He said contractors were called to replace underground wiring and components.

Dennis also described three April service calls, one of which required emergency response near Route 20; he said crews inspected the line and it is now free-flowing. He reported routine monthly inspections were completed and that Veolia selected six sludge loads for disposal.

Commissioners and Veolia discussed process concerns: high variability in inflow makes rotating biological contactors (RBCs) operate poorly, and Dennis said Veolia has engaged its internal engineering group to study options, including potential effluent recycling, to stabilize flow and allow controlled RBC operation.

Dennis provided supply and usage figures: approximately six totes of caustic were received in April, roughly 600 pounds of polymer were delivered, and about 216 50-pound bags of soda ash remain on hand. He and commissioners agreed Veolia will return with study results in two to three weeks and will continue monthly reporting.