July 17, 2024 By Carol Britton Meyer
The Select Board recently accepted a “check” for $46,568 in American Rescue Plan Act funds on behalf of the Town of Hingham to pay for engineering services as part of a Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) Regional Water Study related to estimating the water supply and demand in seven South Shore communities, including Hingham.
Hingham — which owns the Weir River Water System that also serves Hull and some North Cohasset customers — is participating in this project to identify potential water sources to serve South Hingham as the town looks toward future development of this area.
The purpose of the study is to explore the feasibility of joining the MWRA, contingent on its ability to mitigate water supply shortfalls, and to help determine short- and long-term water and infrastructure upgrades to access MWRA water.
Plymouth County Commissioners Chair Jared Valanzola presented the facsimile “check” to the board this week. ARPA funds support communities’ responses to and recovery from the COVID-19 public health emergency. Valanzola acknowledged Sen. Patrick O’Connor’s and Rep. Joan Meschino’s roles in supporting the ARPA award to Hingham.
Joining Hingham in the study are Rockland, Abington, Norwell, Hanover, Cohasset, and Scituate. The study was prompted by the MWRA ‘s 2023 announcement that water capacity is available and that it is waiving entry fees through 2027. At this time, the MWRA does not have available capacity in its sewer collection system to extend to new communities.
The company hired to perform the work will evaluate the water system improvements that would be required to potentially extend the MWRA supply to any or all of the seven communities.
“The group members will be providing their select boards with regular updates throughout the process,” Hingham Town Administrator Tom Mayo said recently. Town Meeting will have the final say on whether to apply to the MWRA in each community.
The MWRA currently provides wholesale water and sewer services in 61 metropolitan Boston communities.