Weymouth is ready to tap into the state’s public water provider to get out in front of anticipated capacity issues. 

The town council on Monday voted to apply for permanent access to the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority, or MWRA. If approved, this connection could provide Weymouth with up to 7.5 million gallons of water per day.

The town is currently capped at withdrawing 5 million gallons per day. In 2023, the average-day demand was 4.24 million gallons per day.

Having this connection would help the buildout of Union Point at the old South Weymouth Naval Air Station. Water supply and wastewater infrastructure for the project has been a lingering concern from state officials.

“It’s one step in a long process,” Mayor Robert Hedlund said of the change to MWRA. 

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The town’s public works committee worked with the mayor’s office to include some stipulations to advancing this application process. They include requiring town council approval on the final construction plan and bi-annual public meetings to be held throughout the process until a final design has been reached and construction bid is awarded. 

If and when MWRA connection is complete, the agreement also requires that the town petition the state to declassify Whitman’s Pond as a secondary water supply, with the intention that no further pumping would occur at the South Cove and existing water supply wells would be taken offline. By doing so, officials hope it benefits the herring that swim to the pond each year for spawning as well as improves water quality and curbs invasive weeds.

“This is not going to be a project that happens overnight,” said Arthur Mathews, town council member who chairs the public works committee.

The project is anticipated to be completed by 2030, with costs to connect the town to MWRA expected to be between $90 million and $120 million. The town is hoping to keep annual rate increases at 3.9% or below. 

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For the time being, MWRA has waived its $39 million admission fee to new customers and the town is seeking state assistance for a portion of the project.

Next will be deciding the route for the connection. Town officials have said one that goes through Braintree is preferred, and the Weymouth mayor’s office met recently with Braintree’s mayor to discuss options.

Hannah Morse covers growth and development for The Patriot Ledger. Contact her at [email protected].

News Source : https://www.patriotledger.com/story/news/2024/05/08/weymouth-ma-water-capacity-mwra-union-point-southfield-air-base/73598867007/