WMAC MEETING MINUTES SEPTEMBER 18, 2008
Attendees: David Crosby Chair; David Hearne; Paul Lauenstein; Rory McGregor Secretary; Len Sekuler; Jack Sulik; Bob Weeks
Others: Eric Hooper Superintendent, DPW; Bob Chapell Senior Project Manager, Weston and Sampson; Cary Parsons Woodard and Curran; Nancy Fyler Neponset River Watershed Association; Nancy Hammett Consultant
1. The minutes for the September 11th, 2008 meeting were approved as modified by Paul Lauenstein.
2. Investigation of increased nitrate levels at Well #2 was reviewed. Bob Chapell explained the construction of the well field at Well #2, which consists of multiple 8-inch diameter wells pumped by vacuum. Water producing capacity of each individual well was established last October by valving off all wells except the one under investigation. Pumping rates, specific capacity and nitrate levels for each well were measured and summarized in a handout given to the WMAC. Of the multiple wells, poor performers in terms of pump capacity included #4 and #6. High nitrate levels were found in #3 and #7.
There is suspicion that homes in the Heights housing area are one possible cause of the increased nitrate levels in Well #2. Grass clippings dumped in the Farnham Road DPW Pit could also be contributors to the nitrate problem.
Well #3, which is also down gradient of the Heights area, is not high in nitrates. This leads Woodard and Curran to speculate that the Farnham Pit could be the primary cause due to the way in which the water table contours to the topography of the land in this general area. Another factor is the existence of a spring next to the Farnham Pit, which is high in nitrates (4.5g/L) and could be moving nitrates from the Pit in the direction toward Well #2.
Recommendations for further investigation include:
Poor pumping wells in the well field at Well #2 need to be cleaned. Expect the water production to go up. Not sure what to expect with nitrate levels.
Install monitoring wells down gradient of the Farnham Pit. Space them 600 to 800 feet apart and monitor groundwater for flow and nitrate levels at these locations for a 2-year period. Survey elevations of land topography in the area. Retest spring water for nitrates.
Install a third monitoring well up gradient of the Farnham Pit. Measure flow and nitrate level contribution from the Heights area.
Cary Parsons noted that the groundwater divide between the Neponset River Basin and the Taunton River Basin is somewhere in the vicinity up gradient of the Farnham Pit, which means that some water from the Heights flows toward Well #2 while the rest flows away in the opposite direction.
2. Nancy Fyler presented details on the Energy and Water Conservation Fair scheduled to take place at Sharon High School this coming Sunday, Sept 14th, from 1 to 5pm. Over 40 vendors will be exhibiting and several seminars on related topics are scheduled.
3. We agreed to bring back the Irrigation System Subcommittee to investigate strategies for mitigating water consumption by in-ground water sprinkling systems. Paul Lauenstein and Len Sekuler will serve. They will approach former WMAC member David Ferestien who may have time available at this time of year to assist with the fact finding effort.
4. The WMAC still needs to recruit 2 new members to achieve our authorized headcount of 9 members. David Crosby will approach the selectmen to fill the 2 vacancies.
5. Nancy Hammett reported on the need to review the water demand forecast for the new housing developments that will be built over the next several years. She will review the data put together by the DPW. She also plans to attend the upcoming meeting of the Economic Development Commission on September 18th.
6. Paul Lauenstein asked why Paul Millets report, requested by the WMAC for an emergency backup connection to Norwood which gets water from MWRA, recommended a connection to Walpole, which, like Sharon, gets all its water from municipal wells. Eric Hooper responded that Paul Millett from Environmental Partners Group will provide a revised report on the proposed emergency water connection with Norwood at Tiot Street, which is at a lower elevation than the proposed site at Coney Street.
7. The next meeting will be on October 23rd at the Community Center at 7:30pm.
Respectfully submitted,
Rory McGregor