CHATHAM – A 25-year intermunicipal wastewater agreement between Chatham and Harwich was adopted by selectmen in both towns last month.
The boards voted to approve the agreement which would allow Harwich to treat 300,000 gallons of wastewater each day from the town’s east side at the Chatham Wastewater Treatment plant.
“Probably the primary driver that started this whole discussion probably 10 or so years ago, as we were working on our comprehensive wastewater management plan, was to protect Pleasant Bay,” said Robert Duncanson, Chatham’s Natural Resources Director.
Harwich will pay over $6.7 million in four payments to buy into the Chatham facility.
Duncanson said the payments will help offset capital costs from the construction of the facility and the offset of operation and maintenance costs.
“They are similarly working with their neighbors on the west side with Dennis and Yarmouth looking at the potential for a regional treatment plant that would serve the west side of Harwich as well as Dennis and Yarmouth,” Duncanson said.
The treated wastewater from Harwich will be recharged to Chatham’s groundwater.
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