December 22, 2022 By Carol Britton Meyer
Weir River Water System Managing Director/Superintendent Russell Tierney shared the good news that there will be no increase in water rates for Fiscal 2024 during an update to the Board of Water Commissioners (comprised of the Hingham Select Board) Tuesday night.
Tierney also reported that “the revenue collected has exceeded the billings, an indicator that we are collecting past due accounts.” This is the first time since WRWS started operating the system that this has occurred, and the collection effort will continue.
The system — formerly operated by Aquarion Water Company — transitioned to public ownership by the Town of Hingham in July 2020.
In addition, the WRWS — through its consultant — is exploring the possibility of installing a new metering system that will also help track unaccounted-for water (UAW) and monitor violations of watering restrictions.
Although he was overall pleased with the way watering restrictions went this year during the severe drought, Tierney said the WRWS wants “to stay on top of how we can better implement water bans” in the future.
There are also plans to enhance the security systems at the water treatment plant and remote locations, such as wells, and to explore the idea of adding hybrid/electric vehicles to the WRWS fleet.
Included in the WRWS proposed Fiscal 2024 budget is a request for a new assistant water superintendent position at a salary of $95,000.
“We’re already paying $160,000 a year for outside inspection [services], and this individual [if the new position is approved] would perform those inspections as well as other tasks,” Tierney said.
He also shared some of the work performed by the operations and maintenance staff annually.
This includes treating and distributing more than 1.2 billion gallons of water; maintaining over 190 miles of water main and 10 water sources, including Accord Pond; conducting a bi-annual systemwide flushing program; and inspecting and maintaining 917 fire hydrants systemwide, among other duties.
Key initiatives include making water treatment plant upgrades; improving water quality by implementing preventative maintenance and water main replacement programs; developing a capital study report; updating and improving GIS mapping; making equipment upgrades; and improving preventative maintenance.
The overall WRWS mission is to provide “outstanding service to our customers in Hingham, Hull, and North Cohasset while continuously supplying the highest-quality water and improving the water system infrastructure,” Tierney said.