Waste woes: Town offers help with septic upgrades in Chepachet; Community kickoff to be held September 25

GLOCESTER – It's the latest advance in a decades-long effort to spur economic and historic revitalization of the town center, and next week the new Chepachet Village Sanitation Improvement Program will be launched with a public information meeting.

A community kick-off meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 25 to introduce the program. The program's goals are to modernize wastewater systems throughout the village, restore the quality of the Chepachet River, and reduce the number of properties with drinking water well access point systems.

With the help of about $765,000 in grants, city officials hope to provide both technical and financial assistance to property owners in the village.

“With a focus on priority properties – septic tanks, holding tanks, OWTS around public wells within 200 feet of the river – this project will explore opportunities for innovative and alternative wastewater systems, educate property owners about the various options available, and, where individual systems are not feasible, explore opportunities to partner with neighboring property owners with comparable wastewater needs,” explained City Planner Karen Scott.

The effort to provide a decentralised solution to the problem of Chepachet's lack of public water and sewerage infrastructure – a major obstacle to business expansion and development in general – was preceded by years of studies and research into possible solutions, many of which ultimately proved too costly for the city.

The first time this happened was in 1997, when the municipality conducted a comprehensive analysis of wastewater disposal alternatives, evaluating costs, environmental impact and feasibility. As a result, Glocester entered into an agreement with neighboring Burrillville to reserve capacity at its wastewater treatment plant.

But the cost of building the connection to the neighboring town exceeded available funds, and eventually the agreement between the municipalities expired. Scott noted that the excess capacity in Burrillville is now no longer there, making a public sewer connection completely unattainable.

In 2004, the Town commissioned a groundwater/stormwater survey for the Village to analyze the causes of basement flooding, poorly functioning sewer systems, and contamination of ground and surface water. This analysis led to the implementation of a project to intercept surface runoff and lower the water table. This allowed the existing sewer systems to function better by reducing water ingress, resulting in significant improvements.

In 2005, Scott says the focus returned to wastewater solutions and alternative technologies were used to repair failing wastewater systems in the most difficult multi-family and commercial properties. Five complete systems were successfully installed.

After an assessment in 2009, another series of stormwater projects were developed, some of which were eventually implemented. At that time, officials also wanted to finally address the village's sewerage and proposed the creation of two sewer management districts with disposal sites. But the centralized approach again proved too costly to move forward, with costs running to over $60,000 per parcel.

While the work and analysis of the past few decades has resulted in small advances rather than a viable long-term solution, Scott noted that all of this information has been incorporated into the current plan.

“This preparatory work and background data have helped to clearly define the project area and create a manageable scope for decentralized wastewater improvements,” she said.

And with limited resources available for a citywide solution, Scott said officials are looking back on the successes of 2005, when alternative technologies were used to repair the village's most problematic properties, as a viable path forward.

“This current proposed project specifically builds on the proven success of that,” Scott said.

Funding for the new program comes from the Environmental Protection Agency, the Southeast New England Program, and state and local funds from the American Rescue Plan Act. These funds will be used to help property owners and residents in Chepachet Village upgrade their wastewater systems to protect public health and the environment.

At next week's meeting, officials will provide an overview of the program and show property owners how they can participate and benefit, describe the work plan, and answer questions.

The kickoff meeting will be held on Wednesday, September 25, beginning at 7 p.m. in the Council Chambers of the Glocester City Hall, 1145 Putnam Pike, in Chepachet. The public is welcome to attend.

For further information please contact Scott at [email protected].