The attorney general or a district attorney, at the request of the attorney general or the commissioner, may prosecute persons who violate article thirty-nine. In addition the attorney general, on his own initiative or at the request of the commissioner, shall have the right to recover a civil penalty of not to exceed three thousand dollars for every violation of any provision of said article, and to seek equitable relief to restrain any violation or threatened violation of such article and to require the recall of any sewage system cleaners or additives sold or distributed in violation of said article.