Scituate Approves Additional $20.3 Million for New Water Treatment Plant

Residents vote to fund project aimed at addressing longstanding water quality issues, despite concerns over increased costs

SCITUATE, MA - June 24 - Scituate residents voted overwhelmingly to approve an additional $20.3 million in funding for a new water treatment plant, addressing longstanding issues with water quality and infrastructure in the Massachusetts coastal town.

The special town meeting on Jun. 24 saw 88.1% of attendees vote in favor of the measure, easily surpassing the required two-thirds majority. The approval comes after voters initially approved $50 million for the project in 2022.

Town officials cited inflation and new regulations on "forever chemicals" as key factors driving up costs. The total project is now estimated at around $70 million when accounting for previously allocated funds.

"Clean, clear water is not a fantasy. It is the year 2024. We can get there," said Andrew Goodrich, chair of the select board. "This is the heart of the system. And I'm asking you, please, we need your help. We need you to vote yes."

The new facility will replace the existing water treatment plant, which officials say is about 20 years past its useful life. It will feature three treatment trains, each capable of handling 50% of the town's approved water withdrawal capacity.

Rob Little of Woodard & Kern, the project's design engineer, explained the plant's redundancy: "Unlike the current plant, which has one train, there's one filter, there's one sedimentation basin, there's one of everything. If any one of those goes down, that entire surface water treatment plant is out of business."

The new plant aims to address persistent issues with brown water that have plagued residents. Town Administrator Jim Boudreau said the facility will treat iron and manganese, major contributors to discoloration.

"The goal is when you turn your faucet on on a Tuesday, you don't get brown water," Boudreau said.

Some residents expressed frustration with the town's communication about the cost increase. Patricia Webber, a planning board member speaking as a private citizen, said, "I think that you squandered a lot of goodwill from your constituents by not having this a little more open and a little more flexible."

Officials defended their process, saying bid information was publicly available and that they followed proper procedures. Goodrich emphasized the urgency of moving forward, warning that further delays could result in state intervention and even higher costs.

"The state has already told us that the next time we send out one of those white letters telling you that we have a contamination problem, there will be a decree from the state and force us to do this project, costing us tens of millions of dollars more," Goodrich said.

To fund the project, the town will use a combination of borrowing and transfers from various town accounts. Officials aim to minimize the impact on taxpayers, with Goodrich expressing hope that additional state funding could potentially reduce the burden to zero.

The meeting also approved a resolution seeking additional funding from Plymouth County's American Rescue Plan Act allocation. The town has already received $3.4 million in ARPA funds for the project.

Bruce Arbonies, chair of the Water Resources Commission, urged support for the project, drawing parallels to a poorly planned school expansion in his former New Jersey hometown.

"We don't want Scituate to be the Hillsborough High School of Massachusetts," Arbonies said. "I encourage everybody to vote yes on this project."

While some residents questioned aspects of the design and bidding process, the overwhelming majority ultimately backed the project, recognizing the critical need for improved water infrastructure.