Millbury's Water Supply Struggle
The precarious dependency of the town of Millbury on neighboring communities like Worcester and Grafton for its water supply unveils a fragile web of reliance that places the community on a precipice of vulnerability. When faced with a shortage or inability of these external sources to provide the necessary water, the consequences are dire and far-reaching. Residents could find themselves grappling with the fundamental challenge of accessing clean water for essential daily needs, from drinking to household use, posing a threat to health and well-being. Moreover, the perils extend to firefighting efforts, where a shortage of water hampers the ability of emergency responders to combat blazes effectively, endangering lives and property. This stark reality underscores the urgent need for robust measures to address water insufficiency and fortify Millbury's resilience against the uncertainties of the future.
Millbury should ensure the presence of a surplus or reserve to address future growth and unforeseen emergencies, exemplified by the Oak Pond Well being offline and necessitating upgrades for restoration, which may account for some of the deficits outlined below. Millbury relies on four local groundwater wells for its primary water supply: Oak Pond Well (1 well, currently offline), Jacques Wells (2 wells), and the Millbury Avenue Well (1 well).
In the face of an existing water scarcity crisis in Millbury, the notion of entertaining the prospect of the town's largest development to date seems not just reckless but downright perilous. Should we, in good conscience, gamble with the very foundation of our community by putting every resident at risk of inadequate access to clean drinking water, essential for daily living and vital for sustaining businesses? Moreover, the specter of jeopardizing lives and properties in the event of fires looms ominously over us. The answer should resoundingly echo: absolutely not. To compound matters, the town is already grappling with a water ban, signaling the urgency of the situation and the imperative need for prudent, responsible action rather than further development exacerbating an already dire predicament. We are also poised to incur taxes for stormwater management, which will be determined either by a flat fee or by the extent of impervious surfaces on our properties, such as pavement or concrete.
During the proposed Chapter 40B Rice Pond Village project public hearing a reference was made to conversations with the Millbury Fire Chief regarding the inclusion of a supplementary water source of the proposed Chapter 40B Rice Pond Village project. Initially, a dry hydrant beneath Rice Pond was considered but deemed insufficient. Now, the alternative of an underground cistern is being explored, indicating a notable concern regarding the availability of water to combat significant fires. Millbury's current water supply is insufficient to meet its own demands and relies on supplementation from neighboring communities as documented in Aquarion Water Company’s 2022 Water Quality Report, which outlines, “The City of Worcester supplemented our own sources by providing 109.4 million gallons of water to our system in 2022, accounting for 18.4% of the total use. The distribution system also is interconnected to the water system in Grafton for emergencies or periods of high-water use.” Similarly, the Aquarion Water Company’s 2021 Water Quality Report noted that, “The City of Worcester supplemented our own sources by providing 11.3 million gallons of water to our system in 2021, accounting for 1.9% of the total use. The distribution system is also interconnected to the water system in Grafton for emergencies or periods of high water use.” Additionally, the Aquarion Water Company’s 2020 Water Quality Report clearly states that, “The City of Worcester supplemented our own sources by providing 57.4 million gallons of water to our system in 2020, accounting for 9.7% of the total use. The distribution system is also interconnected to the water system in Grafton for emergencies or periods of high water use.”
Let's provide some perspective on these figures. An Olympic-sized 50 meter pool measures 165 feet long by 56 feet wide, featuring 8 lap lanes, each 7 feet wide, with a depth of 7.2193285± feet and holding approximately 490,000 gallons (almost 1/2 million gallons). Consequently, in 2022, Worcester augmented our town's water supply with the equivalent of 223.27 Olympic-sized pools or 47.36± acres, with a depth of 7.2193285± feet. In 2021, this amounted to 23.06 Olympic-sized pools or 4.89± acres, with a depth of 7.2193285± feet, while in 2020, it was equivalent to 117.14 Olympic-sized pools or 24.85± acres, with a depth of 7.2193285± feet.
A representation of an Olympic-sized pool as described above.
“MEDFORD, Mass. — Firefighters battled a fire Tuesday at a home owned by Sen Elizabeth Warren’s son in Medford, Massachusetts, where the water supply and water pressure posed a challenge to crews battling the blaze.”
Similar challenges have been reported across the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, indicating that this issue is not isolated to a single instance.
In the discussion about available water for firefighting, particularly regarding the proposed project, Steven Venincasa noted that the three buildings will be equipped with sprinkler systems. However, lacking adequate water volume and pressure renders a sprinkler system ineffective, offering minimal assistance in extinguishing a fire within a multifamily building housing 64 units across four floors. Additionally, it's worth mentioning that two of the buildings are situated in close proximity to each other.
This dependency puts Millbury at risk should these external sources become unable to provide additional water for essential purposes such as drinking, household use, and firefighting. These are very real concerns that need to be properly assessed and mitigated before we are adversely impacted. Water insufficiency alone should be a valid justification for denial of the proposed Chapter 40B Rice Pond Village project. However, it is important to highlight that the state overlooks the potential additional costs to local taxpayers for essential services necessitated by the sudden and substantial increase in population resulting from Chapter 40B projects. Establishing new clean water supplies is a time-consuming process that typically spans years and requires substantial financial investment.
Millbury Water Deficits
If you've recently traversed through the city of Worcester, it's hard to miss the burgeoning construction of large apartment complexes, signaling a significant building boom underway. This surge in development is accompanied by a growing demand for water within Worcester itself, highlighting the pressing need for increased water resources to sustain the expanding urban landscape.
It's imperative to take these factors into account when deliberating on future development in Millbury, striking a delicate balance between our autonomy in water resources and the imperative for growth. Millbury urgently requires water sources under local control to ensure self-sufficiency and resilience in the face of evolving needs and challenges.
Neglecting the importance of a clean and dependable water supply will inevitably affect every resident and business, with consequences that extend far beyond the immediate future. Look no further than the challenges confronting communities nationwide grappling with similar water scarcity and the availability of clean water issues. Water stands as the cornerstone of life itself, underscoring the urgency of prioritizing long-term solutions to safeguard our collective well-being.
The absence of water in Sutton thwarted Steven Venincasa and James Venincasa's Chapter 40B proposal at 99 Boston Road, prompting them to abandon the project, in addition to letting the option to purchase lapse. Despite the efforts of town officials and employees in neighboring communities in conducting their own due diligence, these developers opt to invest elsewhere, seemingly unwilling to contribute fairly or invest in the community. Millbury must conduct its own thorough due diligence independently, rather than solely relying on the assessments of the town planner and developers. Many are aware that these particular developers often lack credibility and frequently fail to substantiate any of their claims with evidence from reputable third parties.
Every resident in Millbury should prioritize water independence. Residents are encouraged to submit public comments regarding this and other issues concerning this ill-conceived Chapter 40B project by emailing the Millbury Board of Appeals at aboard@millburyma.gov.