In Bourne, a new wastewater treatment plant is set to open in the village of Buzzards Bay. The plant, with a price tag of $10 million, will allow for new construction and development, according to town administrator Tony Schiavi.
Previously, Buzzards Bay sent all its sewage next door to Wareham for treatment. But Wareham accepts only up to 200,000 gallons per day, which has limited growth in Buzzards Bay.
The new plant can treat up to 100,000 gallons per day. The boost in treatment capacity means more buildings can tie into the village’s sewer system, said Schiavi.
“That was the primary emphasis behind its construction. There's a number of properties along Main Street that could be developed for mixed use, residential and commercial,” he said. “Sometimes in order to jumpstart economic development and bring private investment to your community, you have to bring public investment first.”
The plant is financed through a mix of user fees and state funding.
Residents will see an initial jump of $259 annually in their sewer bills. But Schiavi said that increase will be offset in the coming years as new homes and businesses tie into the system. “As we add more users with these different projects and sewering different parts of town, now you're spreading that cost out over a bigger number,” he said.
The new plant has passed its “clearwater” test and received authorization from the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection last week. Schiavi said the facility will begin operations in August.
