Group pushes plan to fix state's crumbling water systems
An advocacy group is traveling around the state with a warning: The drinking water infrastructure in towns all over the commonwealth is beginning to fall apart with age and there is little money to fix the growing problem.
The group, Clean Water Action, released a report estimating $8 billion is needed to fix the infrastructure. Along with state Sen. Pam Resor, D-Middlesex and Worcester, representatives from the group were in town this week to raise awareness about the issue.
"This is a major infrastructure issue," said Resor.
Many water systems in Massachusetts are at least 100 years old and failing, she said. She likened using 100-year-old pipes for water to calling for an ambulance and having a horse and buggy show up at the door.
Resor is a sponsor of Senate Bill 2292, which would establish a water infrastructure commission. The bill calls for the commission to "develop a comprehensive, long-range water infrastructure finance plan for the commonwealth and its municipalities."
The proposed commission would consist of 15 people, drawn from engineering groups, water works groups, utility contractors and environmental groups.
After the meeting, Resor said Clean Water Action convinced her that water infrastructure in Massachusetts is a serious problem.
Maynard's Superintendent of Public Works Paul Camilli, who has been vocal about Maynard's need to fix its water system, showed Resor pictures of a water main break that occurred in November on Main Street. For almost a full day, surrounding homes and businesses, including Maynard's largest office park, Clock Tower Place, were without water as crews struggled to isolate and repair the damage.
Maynard's Town Administrator John Curran said Resor's bill is a reasonable approach, said Curran.
"It's long overdue. … I'm very excited to see this come to the forefront," he said.
John McNabb, water commissioner for Cohasset and a member of the drinking water program at Clean Water Action, headed the report detailing the many problems communities face with their water and sewer systems.
Town and city records on water systems are often scattered or missing, said McNabb. To date, he has been able to locate records on 17,000 miles of pipe. That network lost some 250 million gallons of water in 2006 because of main breaks and leaks, McNabb said.
McNabb said the cost is the key issue when it comes to repairing old systems. Raising rates and/or taxes is not always politically feasible, he said.
After giving an initial presentation to the State House last week, Clean Water Action traveled to West Dennis and will be in Brockton on Friday.
Reporter Meghan B. Kelly can be reached at 978-371-5758 or mkelly@cnc.com.