February 27, 2024 Submitted By The Town of Hingham
Hingham is one of seven South Shore communities currently taking part in a regional study to explore the feasibility of joining the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA).
Joining Hingham in the study are Rockland, Abington, Norwell, Hanover, Cohasset, and Scituate. The study was prompted by the MWRA ‘s 2023 announcement that water capacity is available and that it is waiving entry fees through 2027. At this time, the MWRA does not have available capacity in their sewer collection system to extend to new communities.
MWRA was established by an act of the Legislature in 1984 to provide wholesale water and sewer services to over 3 million people and more than 5,500 large industrial users in 61 metropolitan Boston communities, from Worcester in the west to Marblehead in the east, and from Peabody in the north to Stoughton in the south. Depending on the community, MWRA services may include water only, sewer only, water and sewer, and water and/or sewer on an emergency basis only.
Hingham is no stranger to the municipal water supply business, having purchased the privately owned Aquarion Water Company in 2020 and assuming full control of it under the new name Weir River Water System which also serves Hull and portions of North Cohasset. The town is participating in this project to identify water sources to serve South Hingham.
While not every town necessarily has the same water supply capacity demands, each is currently working to determine their short term and long-term needs. This group of South Shore towns initiated the regional study to allow ample time to assess their own needs for water and infrastructure upgrades to access MWRA water. This assessment will help each community decide if a full application to access MWRA water capacity is something they want to complete by 2027.
The Towns will apply to use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds, available through Plymouth County, to support the effort. “We have a long way to go before any final decisions are made,” explained Hingham Town Administrator Tom Mayo. “The group members will be providing their select boards with regular updates throughout the process. And, of course town meeting in each community will have the final say on whether to apply to the MWRA.”