WMAC Minutes: May 31, 2007
Attendees: Paul Lauenstein, Chair; David Crosby; David Hearne; Rory McGregor, Secretary; Len Sekuler; Jack Sulik.
1. Drilling started today on the proposed site at Edge Hill Road(near Canton's pump house at the Knollwood Cemetary). We want to observe the imppact of trying to pump each and then both wells at the same time. Test is 48 hours.
Jack suggested the possibility of directional drilling at an angle into the hill as opposed to vertical. The energy cost to pump the water will also be considered in the overall evaluation.
2. No progress on the emergency hookup via Stoughton. They still need to model the draw on their water system in the event they provide water to Sharon.
3. Draft of final cost proposal for iron/manganese cleanup at Well #6 will be ready this week. Cost is between $2 and $2.5 million. This will be evaluated relative to other options for creating additional pump capacity in Sharon.
4. Well #2 nitrate study has started. Objective is to stop nitrates at the source. Suspicion is that septic systems are the cause (similar to the investigation on Well #4 10 years ago). Surface water nitrates appear to be low giving strength to the argument that septic systems are the culprit.
5. Water meter installation will ramp up after July 1 when DPW staff becomes available. Estimated time to complete town wide installation is 3 years.
6. Ground water levels are high due to significant spring time rain.
7. General trend in water consumption continues to show a decline, which is good news for Sharon, since this will help to compensate for the additional demand which the recently approved development projects will place on our water system.
8. Sharon will participate in RiverWays (DEP) grant to evaluate physical mass balance of water-in/water-out. Project involves Tufts University analytical model as decision making tool. For example, we can analyze the impact of taking water from Well #4 to service the proposed Brickstone development. Eric provided a project summary entitled "Keeping Water Local".
Paul mentioned that Lake Massapoag water level data is available from the Yacht Club and can be provided to the project team. Eric will schedule a presentation of findings when work wraps up later this summer, perhaps as early as our next WMAC meeting.
9. Eric will review and begin adjusting the 5-year Capital Plan based on the recent town votes approving Sharon Commons and Brickstone. David Hearne said that we should borrow monies if certain projects need to be accelerated.
10. Water conservation efforts have consumed about $32K in funds this fiscal year. $27K has gone to rebates, most for washing machines. $3K has gone for audits, $2K for the water bill inserts. We will put $50K into next year's budget, the same as this year.
Demand for High Efficiency toilets (HET) has been nil. Eric pointed out that very little new home construction has taken place. Paul will see if ther is any data available from Bridgewater where 200 units were installed. NepRWA is pursuing the HET issue with the proposed development for Westwood Station.
Paul explained that the HET world has 2 major players: Pressure Assist which requires 1.0 to 1.1 gal/flush. Dual Flush uses 1.6 gal/flush, except when it is only liquid waste, then less than 1.0 gal/flush.
11. Paul suggested that the DPW offer 1 free HET every one or two months as a promotional program. He will bring a proposal to the next WMAC meeting.
12. Tankless water heaters were discussed as another concept that we may want to promote. Europe has long used small propane heaters close to the water tap to provide hot water. We need to investigate.
13. Ian Cooke, Executive Director of NepRWA, needs to advise Sharon if they can assist with the education effort in Sharon Schools for the storm water project which is concluding. Level of effort might be on the order of $5K and involves coordinating directly with the schools to present findings. DPW does not want to utilize its limited resources on this part of the project.
14. Paul proposed that we consider an annual water conservation scholarship to the Sharon School System for a deserving proposal or a worthy graduating senior, whatever makes sense. Amount could be up to $5K. To be discussed further.
15. Paul presented an article for submission to the Sharon Advocate publicizing the reduced water consumption that has resulted rom the town's conservation efforts. The article was approved with some minor amendments.
16. New officers for the WMAC were elected: David Crosby - Chair; Len Sekuler - Vice-Chair; Rory McGregor - Secretary. Paul Lauenstein was thanked for his leadership over the past year and a half.
17. Next meeting is Thursday, July 12th, at the Town Hall.
18. Eric will provide a tour of the Sharon Water System on Saturday, June 16th. Meet at Station #1 at 9am. WMAC and Selectmen are invited.
Respectfully submitted,
Rory McGregor, Secretary