Environmental groups sue EPA in hopes of faster cleanup of Cape Cod’s coastal waters

Environmental groups sue EPA on Cape Cod pollution

BOSTON — Two environmental organizations have sued federal regulators in an effort to accelerate the cleanup of coastal waters in Massachusetts’ Cape Cod Bay.

The Conservation Law Foundation and the Coalition for Buzzards Bay allege in a lawsuit filed Wednesday that the Environmental Protection Agency has not fulfilled requirements to adequately regulate the discharge of nitrogen into the cape’s bays.

It says excess nitrogen from septic systems, stormwater runoff and wastewater treatment can cause algae blooms that choke off oxygen that marine life needs.

EPA spokeswoman Paula Ballentine says the agency is committed to reducing nitrogen levels.