GLOCESTER – It is the latest step forward in a decades-long effort to spur economic and historic revitalization in the center of town, and next week, the new Septic Improvement Program for Chepachet Village will kickoff with a public information session.
A community kick-off meeting will be held on Wednesday, Sept. 25 to introduce the program, which aims to bring about upgrades to wastewater systems throughout the village, restore the quality of the Chepachet River and reduce the number of properties using point of entry systems on drinking water wells.
With the help of some $765,000 in grant funding, town officials hope to provide both technical and financial assistance to village property owners.
“Focusing on priority properties – cesspools, holding tanks, OWTS in public well radius, within 200 feet of the river – this project will explore opportunities for innovative and alternative septic systems, educating property owners of different possibilities available and where individual systems are not feasible, look for opportunities to join with neighboring property owners with comparable wastewater needs,” explained Town Planner Karen Scott.
The effort to offer a decentralized solution to address the lack of public water and sewer infrastructure in Chepachet – a major obstacle to business expansion and development in general – comes following years of study and exploration of solutions, many of which ultimately proved too costly for the town.
The first dates back to 1997, when town officials performed a comprehensive analysis of wastewater disposal alternatives rating the cost, environmental effectiveness and feasibility. As a result, Glocester made an agreement with the neighboring Burrillville to reserve capacity at their wastewater treatment facility.
But construction costs to establish the connection with the neighboring town exceeded available resources and eventually, the inter-municipal agreement expired. Scott noted that now, the excess capacity no longer exists in Burrillville, making a public sewer connection totally out of reach.
In 2004, the town commissioned a groundwater/stormwater assessment for the village, analyzing issues that were causing basement flooding, poorly functioning septic systems and contamination of ground and surface water. That analysis led to implementation of a project to intercept surface runoff and lower the groundwater table, enabling existing wastewater systems to perform better by reducing water infiltration, resulting in significant improvements.
In 2005, Scott noted that the focus turned back to wastewater solutions, and alternative technologies were used to repair failing septic systems on the most challenging multi-family and commercial properties, with five package systems successfully installed.
Another set of stormwater projects was developed following an assessment in 2009, with several ultimately implemented. At the time, officials also aimed to finally address village septic, proposing the creation of two wastewater management districts including disposal sites. But the centralized approach once again proved too costly to move forward, with estimates of $60,000 plus per parcel.
While the work and analysis over the past several decades has resulted in incremental steps forward rather than a viable long-term solution, Scott noted all of that information has been put to use in the current plan.
“This advance work and background data helped to clearly define the project area and provide a manageable scope for decentralized wastewater improvements,” she said.
And with limited funding for a town-wide solution, Scott noted officials are looking back to the success of 2005 – when alternative technologies addressed fixed the most troublesome village properties – as a viable route forward.
“This current, proposed project specifically builds on the proven success of this,” Scott said.
Funding for the new program will come from the Environmental Protection Agency, Southeast New England Program and through American Rescue Plan Act state and local funds. Those funds will be used to assist property owners and residents in Chepachet Village with septic system upgrades – designed to safeguard public health and the environment.
At the meeting next week, officials will provide an overview of the program and show property owners how they can participate and benefit, describe the work plan, and address questions.
The kick-off meeting will be held in the town council chambers at Glocester Town Hall at 1145 Putnam Pike, in Chepachet on Wednesday, September 25 starting at 7 p.m. The public is welcome.
For more information, interested parties are invited to contact Scott at [email protected].
