By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — Ratepayers unanimously approved the revised $17 million Glen Drive water treatment plant project during the Lynnfield Center Water District’s Annual Meeting on Monday.
LCWD Superintendent John Scenna said Article 13 asked ratepayers to approve joining the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s Drinking Water State Revolving Fund Loan Program for the purpose of completing the revised Glen Drive water treatment plant project.
Scenna recalled that LCWD ratepayers approved the $9.8 capital program at the May 2021 Annual Meeting. He said the capital program includes constructing a $6.3 million greensand filter water treatment plant at Station 4 on Glen Drive that would be used to treat iron and manganese, which have caused discolored water problems that have impacted a number of ratepayers.
The capital program also includes the supplemental water project, which Scenna said entails having the LCWD get supplemental water from the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority (MWRA) via Wakefield.
“The project addresses water quality and water quantity,” said Scenna about the LCWD’s original capital program.
After ratepayers approved the capital program two years ago, Scenna said the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection implemented drinking water regulations in October 2021 that regulate the maximum contaminant level (MCL) for PFAS.
“PFAS is a regulatory requirement that MassDEP has set forward,” said Scenna.
Scenna said Station 2 on Main Street had levels of PFAS that were “slightly” higher than MassDEP’s drinking water standard of 20 parts per trillion (PPT), which he said equals one drop of water in 20 Olympic-size swimming pools.
“We started educating and started looking for a short-term solution and a long-term solution,” said Scenna.
Scenna said the LCWD installed AVANTech vessels at Station 2 as part of a temporary solution. He said the interim system has brought PFAS to “non-detect levels” that are in compliance with MassDEP regulations.
“This is being done on a short-term pilot program with MassDEP,” said Scenna. “It will expire in two years and it was given to us on the basis that we address this issue long-term.”
After “evaluating several options,” Scenna recommended that the new Glen Drive treatment plant get expanded so that the facility could treat PFAS, iron and manganese in a single building that will be located behind the existing Station 4 facility. He said the LCWD will be receiving an easement from the Sagamore Golf Course that will be used to connect the Main Street and Glen Drive stations to ensure PFAS is treated.
“That easement allows us to connect the stations in a very economical manner,” said Scenna.
Scenna said the State Revolving Fund Loan Program will allow the district to finance the revised $17 million treatment plant’s cost with zero percent interest.
“Addressing PFAS is a requirement,” said Scenna. “It’s not a choice. We have to do this in order to keep the water source in compliance in the future and keep our system running. Doing it at a discounted amount is what we are here to vote for tonight. The SRF Program saves this water district $7 million in interest on this project.”
Scenna said the LCWD’s rate analysis consultant, Raftellis Consultants, informed district officials that the SRF Program will save each ratepayer $1,600 over the course of the 20-year loan.
“Allowing this $17 million project to move forward will put this Glen Drive project out to bid this fall because the MassDEP requires the final design to be submitted in October,” said Scenna. “We are planning on submitting it in September. It will never be cheaper than using this program.”
Willowby Way resident Robert Look asked how the bidding process for public projects work.
Scenna said the water treatment plant project will go out to bid this fall, and the process will be done in compliance with state law.
“It will be similar to a school project,” said Scenna. “There will be subcontractors and a general contractor bid. The low bid will obviously prevail. The specification will be written in such a manner to make sure we have experienced people bidding.”
In response to a question from Patrice Lane resident Patricia Campbell, Scenna said the treatment plant’s design will resemble a garage.
“There will be millions of dollars of equipment inside,” said Scenna.
CDM Smith Project Manager Anne Malenfant said the Environmental Protection Agency unveiled new proposed federal PFAS regulations in March. While she said the MassDEP regulates the sum of six PFAS compounds, Malenfant said the proposed federal rule seeks to regulate two of the six PFAS compounds, PFOA and PFOS.
“It can’t be more than 4 PPT,” said Malenfant. “There is also a Hazard Index that considers the levels of four other PFAS compounds. The PFOA at Glen Drive is just over the 4 PPT and the PFOS is just below the 4 PPT. The rule is proposed right now, and it should be finalized by the end of this year.”
Pagos Way resident Sondria Berman inquired if PFAS will be “completely eradicated” from the LCWD if the project gets approved.
“The projected levels are non-detect,” said Scenna. “Right now, the entire system is in compliance with regulatory requirements.”
Look asked what will the project’s cost impact be on LCWD ratepayers.
Scenna said the $17 million project will cost an additional $62 per household annually.
“It’s about $15 per quarterly bill,” said Scenna.
Glen Drive resident Marshall McCausland asked if the new treatment plant will be noisy.
“It will be no more than what is there now,” said LCWD Board of Water Commissioners Chairman Joe Maney. “It will be business as usual.”
Scenna said the LCWD will be holding an informational meeting with Glen Drive residents as the project’s design continues to progress.
McCausland also asked how long will it take to construct the new treatment plant.
Malenfant anticipates it will take 18 months to construct the plant. She said construction will begin early next year.
After the discussion, the 37 ratepayers in attendance unanimously voted in favor of Article 13.
Maney thanked House Minority Leader Brad Jones (R-North Reading), State Sen. Brendan Crighton (D-Lynn) and the Select Board for supporting the LCWD’s capital program. Select Board members Phil Crawford and Dick Dalton both attended the meeting, and voted for the $17 million water treatment plant project.
“If it weren’t for them and the cooperation we have, we would be in big trouble,” said Maney. “Thank you gentlemen.”