Scituate's Sandhills Sewage Pump Station in Dire Need of Repairs

Select Board Approves $90,075 in Emergency Contracts to Replace Aging Roof and Boiler, Preventing Potential System Failures

SCITUATE, MA- June 18 - The Scituate Select Board approves $90,075 in emergency repair contracts for the Sandhills sewage pump station, which handles waste from 27% of the town. The pump station, located at 89 Sissuah Ave., requires immediate roof and boiler replacements to avoid potential system failures and sewage backups.

During the June 18 Select Board meeting, Public Works Director Sean Anderson presented images of the pump station's deteriorating condition, including a roof with visible leaks and an aging boiler system. Anderson emphasized the urgency of the repairs, stating, "If the building freezes in the winter, 27% of the town won't be able to flush their sewage."

The Sandhills pump station, built in 1966, is the largest in Scituate and serves a significant portion of the town's population. The facility pumps sewage from the Surfside and Splashgate areas to the Chaney Bond collection point, which then pumps it to the Seattle station for treatment.

To address the critical repairs, the Select Board approved two contracts: a $53,000 contract with Gibson and Leams Incorporated to replace the pump station's roof and a $37,075 contract with Inverter Systems Incorporated to replace the boiler and purchase a spare pump for the station.

Funding for the repairs will come from a $100,000 allocation originally intended for a regional sewer study. Town Administrator Jim Boudreau explained, "It's really the same money we're going to be spending. It's just get it done now, while we can, in a hurry. Don't worry about the cold weather."

Select Board member Karen Connolly emphasized the importance of the repairs, stating, "I think it's safe to say it's fine. It has to be. That kind of system fails sometimes."

The approval of the emergency repair contracts ensures that the Sandhills pump station will receive the necessary upgrades to maintain its functionality and prevent potential sewage backups in the town. The repairs are expected to be completed before the onset of cold weather to avoid any disruptions to the sewer system.

Scituate residents can rest assured that the Select Board and Public Works Department are taking proactive measures to address the aging infrastructure and ensure the continued operation of the town's critical sewage management facilities.