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Plymouth hears 20-year wastewater plan, consultants call for targeted precinct outreach and grant pursuit
Summary
Town wastewater superintendent and Weston & Sampson consultants presented a 20-year Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan outlining priority unsewered areas, alternatives and next steps emphasizing precinct-level outreach and grant opportunities to address water-quality concerns.
Wastewater Superintendent Doug Pinard and engineering consultants Weston & Sampson presented a 20-year Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP) to the Committee of Precinct Chairs on April 16, outlining options to address widespread unsewered areas and local water-quality problems.
Consultant Nathan Michael described the CWMP’s purpose as a roadmap: "take stock of the existing wastewater systems, evaluate centralized and decentralized options, and develop a 20‑year management plan" to guide investments and regulatory compliance. Slides shown to the committee stressed drivers including protection of coastal resources, regulatory requirements, and long-term financial sustainability.
The presentation identified priority unsewered areas — including Manomet and West Plymouth neighborhoods — and noted townwide constraints such as small lot sizes, soil suitability and flood-prone zones. Slides reported that roughly 87% of Plymouth is not on town sewer, a factor consultants said affects both public health and coastal water quality. The consultants described alternatives ranging from enhanced on-site repair programs to localized sewer extensions and regional treatment options.
Maeve Dineen, also of Weston & Sampson, outlined next steps: targeted public meetings (precinct caucuses and village steering committees), continued coordination with the Citizens Advisory Committee and pursuit of grant funding. "Public outreach and communication are next," she said, and emphasized that precinct-level meetings would shape where projects are prioritized.
Citizens Advisory Committee member Mike Hanlon told the committee he hopes residents will support change because of water quality: "This is so important due to water quality issues — please have the courage to make a change." Kristin Ford, COPC Coordinator, said she will help coordinate precinct meetings and materials will be posted on the town website.
The consultants closed by sharing a public input form and the Town webpage for CWMP materials; they said next steps include targeted outreach and refinement of financing and implementation options.
The CWMP presentation will be followed by precinct-level discussions and additional public outreach; the committee did not take formal action on the plan at the April 16 meeting.
