MWRA Water

Weymouth’s current water sources are limited. For decades the Town has recognized a need to find a permanent new water source to meet future water demands, including realizing the full potential of the former South Weymouth Naval Air Base. In addition, Mayor Hedlund has set the following vision:

  • Ensure Environmental Protection/Conservation and Expansion of Natural Resources/Habitats.
  • Revitalize Village Centers and Commercial Corridors
  • Eliminate PFAS Concerns, Improve Water Quality
  • Expand Passive Recreational Opportunities
  • Solve Town’s Water Demand for Foreseeable Future

To realize the existing need and vision, Mayor Hedlund has undertaken the complex task of identifying and securing a reliable and feasible water source.

A recent Water and Sewer Capacity Analysis conducted by Environmental Partners concluded that “The MWRA regional water supply is the only viable choice for long term supply of the projected water demands in Weymouth with the ultimate ability to provide redundancy and replace the Town’s current supplies.”

Mayor Hedlund tasked Chief of Staff Ted Langill to create a working group and coordinate efforts to determine the feasibility of joining the MWRA for water and begin the application process. For the last year, that working group has been meeting with stakeholders, Southfield Redevelopment Authority, engineering consultants, MWRA, DEP and Water Resources (DCR) to identify viable options and prepare the filings and documents that make up the application.

The timing of this effort became even more critical when on September 2022, the MWRA Board of Directors approved a proposal to waive for five years the Entrance Fee for new communities meeting certain criteria. The waiver extends through calendar year 2027, for a total maximum of up to 20 million gallons per day (MGD) being sought by new communities. With the amount available to new communities capped, there is no time for delay. We have been told that Weymouth meets the criteria. This could save Weymouth rate payers tens of millions of dollars, depending on the total volume requested as part of the application.

In addition, other financial assistance is available to assist communities in reducing the cost of an MWRA project. The MWRA Expansion Study also shows increasing demand for water South of Weymouth, which could allow for the possibility of additional revenue to offset rates by wheeling water South through Weymouth.

Weymouth’s current total authorized finished water volume under the Water Management Act from Town sources is 5.00 million gallons per day (MGD). Between 2016 and 2022 Weymouth has averaged 4.26 MGD, 0.74 MGD below its allowable yield. This gives the Town short-term capacity while it works to through an MWRA solution, a process that is estimated to take 6 to 8 years to complete.

In addition to finding a permanent water solution for additional water, the Town has a plan to improve conservation and limit “lost” water within our system.

On this page you will find additional information on the application process and benefits, as well as a presentation showing the negative impacts of a building moratorium, which was proposed by 13 residents and Town Council is considering.


 

Meetings and Presentations

MWRA Water Q&A

MWRA Application Process Documents

Reports


Background:

Currently, The Weymouth Water Department, under the Department of Public Works, serves approximately 55,000 residents and commercial and industrial facilities with over 16,000 service connections. The water system consists of five groundwater supply wells (14% of the Town’s supply) and a surface water supply system (86% of the Town’s supply).

The Town pumps raw water from five groundwater wells within the Mill River aquifer and the Great Pond surface water system. Drinking water is produced at two water treatment facilities: the Arthur J. Bilodeau Water Treatment Plant, which treats raw water from the groundwater wells and the Great Pond Water Treatment Plant, which treats water from the Great Pond surface water supply system. The Great Pond surface supply system includes Great Pond and Whitman’s Pond, including the impounded South Cove of Whitman's Pond.

The majority of water use is residential consumption (85 percent). Residential per-capita consumption between 2016 and 2020 was approximately 49 residential gallons per capita per day (RGPCD), well below the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection’s (MassDEP) benchmark of 65 RGPCD.