Hanover voters authorize $32 million borrowing to upgrade water treatment for PFAS

Town meeting authorized up to $32 million in borrowing on May 4 to fund systemwide upgrades to Hanover’s three water treatment plants to reduce PFAS (called PAS in several comments) levels to meet current and anticipated federal and state standards.

The advisory committee and select board described the project as the culmination of multi‑year testing and design work: a six‑month pilot treatability study at the three plants tested granular activated carbon and ion‑exchange resins and a 90% design package is now complete. Town consultants said both technologies were effective in bringing sampled concentrations below the regulatory limits in the pilot, but system performance and long‑term operation and maintenance differ by source and technology.

"The federal regulations published in 2024 set a maximum contaminant level target at four parts per trillion for key PFAS compounds," the town’s consultant summarized. "The state standard adopted earlier is 20 parts per trillion. Our three supplies would exceed the federal limits and we must plan accordingly." Water superintendent Adam Flood reported recent raw‑water sampling from Pawn Street averaging near six parts per trillion in the winter months and cautioned that summer demand tends to raise measured concentrations.

The $32 million total consists of roughly $28.5 million in construction costs (facility ranges $6.5M–$9M each), $3.5M for construction phase services and bidding, and contingencies. Finance director Jim Hoys presented a worst‑case illustrative debt service scenario: a 20‑year loan at 4% would add roughly $2.3 million annually to water enterprise costs (about a projected 35% rate increase if the entire cost is financed through water rates). Officials said the town will pursue Drinking Water State Revolving Fund loans, possible principal forgiveness, and anticipated PFAS settlement monies to reduce the burden.

The select board urged timely authorization to preserve contractor availability and program eligibility for state funding; opponents urged careful review and asked whether the town could delay to refine costs or pursue alternate regional options. After extended debate the two‑thirds borrowing vote was called and the motion carried.

Next steps: the town will finalize 100% design (pending state review of the pilot), prequalify contractors, apply for SRF funding in October 2026, and target bid award in spring 2027 so construction can proceed on a phased schedule.