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Water supervisor warns new EPA permit could raise costs, pushes water-tank warrant article
Summary
Lancaster’s water supervisor told the Select Board the EPA’s new general-permit approach groups medium systems with larger utilities, likely increasing sampling costs; he urged stormwater separation to seek reclassification and said a SCADA warrant article is part of preparedness.
Timmy Bilodeau, Lancaster’s Water/Wastewater Supervisor, told the Select Board on Feb. 3 that he is preparing materials for a public hearing on a water-tank warrant article and will submit formal comments during the EPA permit comment period. He said the state’s shift to a simplified small/medium/large general-permit structure means Lancaster—operating above 1 million gallons per day—would be classified in a medium category alongside much larger systems, which he warned could increase monitoring and sampling costs.
Bilodeau said the prior permitting process produced facility-specific requirements, and he does not think the new blanket approach is fair to towns like Lancaster. He also said removing stormwater from the sewer system is an important step to pursue reclassification to a smaller general permit and reduce regulatory burden. "I'm happy to answer [questions] regarding the water tank warrant article," Bilodeau said, and he noted that a SCADA-system warrant article is part of the department’s preparation for forthcoming permit obligations.
Selectman Leon Rideout expressed concern about how the water-tank article will be presented at the public hearing; Selectman Kathy-Jean Lavoie asked about the permit timeline, and Bilodeau said the public comment period closes in March/April, after which permits will be issued and towns will be required to implement the new conditions to avoid violations. Bilodeau said he is awaiting whether the state will take his comments into consideration.
The discussion did not produce a formal vote; the board heard the update as part of departmental reports and flagged the warrant-article presentation and SCADA funding as items staff should finalize before the public hearing.
