Health District Seeks Court Help Against Noisy Bristol Energy Plant, Attorney Says

Bristol Health District Considers Legal Action Over Persistent Noise from Trash-to-Energy Plant

Residents in the Bristol-Burlington area are facing ongoing challenges due to persistent noise from a trash-to-energy plant, prompting the local health district to explore legal options. The Bristol-Burlington Health District may seek relief in state court for residents who have reported that the noise disrupts their sleep and overall quality of life.

The decision to pursue an injunction or fines against Reworld (formerly Covanta) will be made by the health district’s board of directors. Keith Ainsworth, an attorney representing the district, confirmed that the board is considering this course of action. The company, which operates the facility on Enterprise Drive, has been under scrutiny for its noise levels.

Reworld has responded to the concerns, stating that it has made extensive efforts to address the issue. According to a spokesperson, these efforts have successfully reduced noise levels below local and state standards. The company emphasized its commitment to working with town officials, the health district, and the broader community to evaluate concerns and ensure continued compliance. "We care deeply about the well-being of this community and will continue to invest in efforts that support the quality of life for all Bristol residents," the spokesperson said.

In August 2024, the health district issued a notice of violation to Reworld regarding "a constant humming noise" from boilers and induction fans at the facility. This led to dozens of complaints from residents in Bristol, Farmington, Plainville, and Southington. The notice stated that the excessive noise was interfering with the quiet use and enjoyment of private property, including loss of sleep and difficulty in enjoying daily activities.

Bristol resident Iwona Serwinski described the noise as "this whomping, droning sound that just swells and ebbs and swells and ebbs." She noted that the noise can be heard from anywhere near the plant. According to the health district, the noise is considered unlawful, excessive, and has created a public health nuisance.

The notice set a compliance deadline of October 12, 2024. Reworld initially appealed the notice but later dropped the appeal. In March of this year, the district issued another notice of violation, indicating that the noise had persisted beyond the deadline. The notice required Reworld to pay a fine of $34,750, which equated to $250 per day for each day the noise continued after the deadline.

Reworld appealed to the state Department of Public Health, which held a hearing on the matter. In July, the hearing officer determined that the district could not fine the company directly and that a ruling on noise compliance was beyond the DPH commissioner's statutory role. As a result, the district would need to seek a remedy in Superior Court, according to the officer's decision.

Reworld highlighted a list of tests and equipment upgrades it has implemented since December 2024 to reduce noise levels. Acoustic testing conducted on June 4 showed noise levels below local and state thresholds, according to the company. However, Ainsworth disputed these findings, stating that the district has retained its own acoustic experts and that noise from the plant continues to be a problem.

Lynn Manocchio, a 64-year-old resident living about two miles from the plant on Madison Drive in Bristol, expressed hope that the health district will take legal action. She mentioned that the maddening noise has persisted since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Manocchio described the sound as a low, pulsing hum that does not fade into the background. Despite using heavy curtains and other measures to muffle the noise, she has found no relief. Some neighbors claim they cannot hear the noise, but for her and others in the area, "there's no escape."

The situation highlights the ongoing struggle between industrial operations and residential communities. As the health district weighs its next steps, residents remain concerned about their quality of life and the need for effective solutions to address the noise issue.