NORTHAMPTON — The Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection has penalized Highway Auto Salvage in Northampton $7,470 for improper septage disposal, in violation of the state’s wastewater regulations.

A MassDEP investigator on Dec. 31 witnessed evidence of the violation by the company, which is owned by 182 MTR LLC. The observation came during an investigation of a complaint that an employee of the auto salvage company located at 182 Mount Tom Road (Route 5) had pumped the contents of a septic tank to an area near the Mill River, violating groundwater discharge regulations.

Additionally, the company failed to perform a required system inspection for its septic system in accordance with state regulations.

As a result, the company must pay $5,750 of the assessed penalty and the remainder will be suspended if the company brings their wastewater system into compliance and abides by the state’s wastewater regulations.

The company has cooperated with MassDEP and the Northampton Department of Health and Human Services to remedy the noncompliance, and has retained an engineering firm for assistance.

Requests for comment by Highway Auto Salvage were not immediately returned.

“The state’s wastewater regulations are in place to protect public health, safety, welfare, and the environment,” said Michael Gorski, director of MassDEP’s Western Region Office in Springfield, in a statement. “This penalty holds 182 MTR accountable for their violation and brings the property into compliance with the regulations.”

Alexander MacDougall can be reached at amacdougall@gazettenet.com.

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