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City explores buying desalination capacity to cut $9 million annual hookup fee and secure regional water role

Ward 5 Community Meeting (City of Brockton) · March 27, 2026

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Summary

Councilor Jeff Thompson said Brockton pays a $9 million annual 'hookup' fee to its desalination provider (referred to as 'Aquaria') and is seeking State Revolving Fund support to buy the facility; officials said buying could reduce annual operating costs and avoid future water-rate increases because the enterprise fund would pay bond costs.

Jeff Thompson described the city’s relationship with a desalination supplier the meeting referred to as "Aquaria," and outlined a proposal to purchase the facility rather than remain a long-term contract member.

Thompson said the current contract carries a $9 million-per-year hookup fee that he described as a payment for connection rather than water delivery. He said the city has submitted a request to the state for State Revolving Fund (SRF) assistance to purchase Aquaria and that the SRF program could offer low-interest financing with principal forgiveness. "We priced that out to about $6,000,000" annually for bond operation and maintenance costs, Thompson said, describing a potential $3 million annual savings compared with the current $9 million membership fee.

He argued the purchase would be financed through the enterprise fund used for water operations, not the general fund, and said the city would not anticipate tax increases or further water-rate hikes if the purchase proceeds. Thompson also said neighboring towns have expressed interest in tapping Brockton for water service, offering hookup-signing bonuses; he said some towns have offered $3 million for the privilege of connection.

Why it matters: Purchasing desalination capacity would change Brockton’s water-cost profile, potentially producing recurring savings, expanding regional supply options and shifting capital and operational responsibilities to the city.

Next steps: Thompson said the city will continue pursuing SRF funding and that discussions are ongoing; no final decision was recorded at the meeting.