On July 17, 2025, EPA Region 1 (EPA) and the Town of Northbridge, Massachusetts (Town) entered into an Administrative Order on Consent (AOC) under Section 309(a)(3) of the Clean Water Act. The AOC addresses the Town's failure to submit for EPA approval an Industrial Pretreatment Program (IPP) as required by the 2022 Region 1 Final Medium Wastewater Treatment Facilities General Permit for Massachusetts. The AOC requires the Town to submit an IPP for EPA approval by April 10, 2026, with several interim deadlines. EPA coordinated with the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP) on this matter.