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Board of Health approves tight‑tank variance for new East Street water facility with monitoring conditions
Summary
After a presentation from Weston & Sampson, the Sudbury Board of Health approved a variance allowing a tight tank for sewage disposal at the new East Street water treatment facility, conditioned on a 60%‑capacity alarm and an initial pump‑out to verify usage (annual pumping was also discussed).
Chair Carol Bradford and board members approved a variance to allow the use of a tight tank for sewage disposal at the Town of Sudbury’s new East Street water treatment facility after hearing technical constraints from the project engineer.
Dylan Erickson, a civil engineer with Weston & Sampson, told the board the design had to change after a December 2023 amendment to state plumbing code requiring restrooms for facilities of this type. Erickson said the site is in a Zone 1 wellhead protection area and has no feasible sewer connection, leaving a tight tank as the only practicable option under Massachusetts Title 5 provisions. “On behalf of Sudbury Water District, I’m here to present the latest design updates for the facility…we’re here seeking approval for the use of a tight tank,” Erickson said.
Board members queried system safeguards. Erickson described an internal alarm set to trigger at 60 percent capacity and an operations-and‑maintenance plan to guide servicing. He said the proposed tank capacity is 2,000 gallons and estimated ordinary use would be about two gallons per day from a single staff member, putting installed capacity well above expected demand.
A board member moved to approve the variance with conditions that the tight tank include a 60 percent alarm and an automatic pump‑out in the first year so staff can verify actual waste volumes; board discussion also supported annual pumping as an acceptable alternative. The motion was seconded and, after roll‑call, the motion passed (exact vote tally not specified in the transcript). Chair Carol Bradford closed the item by thanking the presenter.
The board did not attach a specific timeline for permit issuance; the engineer said site clearing and initial construction activities could begin in October or November with tank installation targeted for winter or spring, subject to permitting. Next steps: the board’s conditional approval will be reflected in the permitting record and staff will confirm the required O&M provisions and pump‑out schedule before finalizing permit language.
