HomeMy WebLinkAboutOverview Presentation Town of Yarmouth Wastewater Project Update
Conservation Commission
March 2, 2023
Bass River Bridge Aerial
Photo Credit: Scott Lundegren
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Why are we doing this?
Lack of wastewater infrastructure has led to environmental deterioration in Yarmouth due to a reliance on title v septic systems that cause nitrogen pollution.
Due to a 722% increase in population in Yarmouth from 1951-2010, Yarmouth’s nitrogen problem has reached a critical stage.
The Massachusetts estuaries project determined that The average nitrogen removal required in the Bass River watershed is 59.5%, with 96% required in the Parkers River watershed, and
80% in the Lewis Bay watershed.
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Photos of Algae Blooms on Bass River - Photographed on July 7, 2022
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New massdep regulations
New regulations by the Massachusetts department of environmental protection will require homeowners in nitrogen sensitive areas (Most of cape cod) to upgrade title v septic systems to
innovative/alternative (i/a) septic systems.
Alternatively, towns may obtain a watershed permit from the dep to avoid having residents be mandated to upgrade septic systems.
Community-wide wastewater program is less costly to homeowners than individual septic upgrades.
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Environmental project with economic benefits
The Yarmouth wastewater project is an environmental restoration project, but its economic benefits will help fund it.
a 2018 report by umass Donahue institute indicated that there are hundreds of millions of dollars in pent up demand for development in Yarmouth due to a lack of wastewater infrastructure.
Introduction of wastewater infrastructure is expected to result in new investment in Yarmouth, which will help reverse the decline of the town’s commercial tax base and reduce reliance
on residential property taxes.
New growth resulting from the project will fund the wastewater program through the newly approved district improvement financing program.
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Land-use controls & Growth Management
The town of yarmouth will manage development and growth in sewer areas through the adoption of land-use control regulations.
The yarmouth board of selectmen, acting as sewer commissioners, will be responsible for managing the town's wastewater flow within a pre-determined maximum build-out limit.
Land use controls are a necessary part of the STATE’S REVOLVING LOAN FUND (SRF) program and are currently being developed.
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Dhy update
The town of Yarmouth previously explored the possibility of a regional wastewater project by partnering with the towns of dennis and Harwich.
Delays by partnering towns forced Yarmouth to abandon this approach, as any cost savings that could be realized were outweighed by increasing inflationary costs.
As such, the town of Yarmouth will be pursuing a local approach with a wastewater treatment facility located in Yarmouth (99 buck island road). However, the town will continue to explore
the possibility of partnering with neighboring towns in some manner.
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Recent project accomplishments
2020 Annual town meeting appropriated $5,250,000 for the design, engineering, permitting, and construction of the wastewater collection system.
2020 Special town meeting established a municipal water infrastructure investment fund to help fund wastewater infrastructure improvements (0.78% property tax surcharge offset by corresponding
reduction in cpa surcharge).
2021 annual town meeting established the wastewater enterprise fund to be used for wastewater infrastructure. The same town meeting approved the appropriation of $1,655,067.59 into this
fund.
2021 Annual town meeting also approved the appropriation of $4,500,000 in funds for the design, engineering, and permitting of the planned wastewater treatment facility in Yarmouth.
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Recent project accomplishments (continued)
2022 Annual town meeting established the wastewater infrastructure stabilization fund which will be funded through short-term rental tax revenue.
2022 Annual town meeting also established a district improvement financing program that will utilize new growth resulting from the introduction of wastewater infrastructure to help pay
for the program.
The Notice of project change for the Yarmouth comprehensive wastewater management plan was Approved with the Massachusetts environmental protection agency (mepa) in september 2022.
In January 2023 Yarmouth was ranked #1 on intended use plan (iup) of the state’s revolving loan fund (SRF) for a low (or no) interest loan for the wastewater project.
The town has also hired consultants to assist with the district improvement financing and betterment programs.
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8-Phase map
Future phases are subject to change
Each phase is estimated to take 5 years to complete
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Phase 1
Map
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Funding sources
The town has identified various funding sources for the project outside of the property tax levy to mitigate the financial impact on residents
Cape & islands water protection trust
Regional trust funded by 2.75% tax on short-term rentals and recently supplemented by $200m appropriation from governor Charlie baker
Water infrastructure & investment fund
Local short-term rental receipts
District improvement financing program
User generated revenues
Betterments
Capital charge on operating rates
The town will also be pursuing state and federal grants for the project
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Next steps
Collection system design is underway and will be completed by early 2023.
Design for the yarmouth water resource recovery facility (wrrf) is also in progress and will be completed by late 2023.
The town will request an appropriation for the construction of phase 1 of the sewer plan at the 2023 Annual Town meeting. This will include construction of the Yarmouth wastewater treatment
plant, which will be known as the Yarmouth water resource recovery facility (WRRF).
Phase 1 has been broken into 6 contracts with the following timelines:
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Questions?
Crab Creek in Yarmouth
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