Executive Summary 1.0

Introduction

The Town of Easton, MA is proactively evaluating its wastewater treatment and disposal practices, and seeking a cost-effective, long-term solution to wastewater treatment and disposal for the Town. The Town is one of many communities in the region that is deliberating such a solution, presenting options that may ultimately unite them in attaining their mutual, wastewater management goals. With the expertise of environmental engineering firms, the Town has comprehensively evaluated the management and effectiveness of the current on-site septic systems. It is seeking alternatives that would mediate its current on-site, septicsystem problems while accommodating economic growth within the community. The Town of Easton retained Camp Dresser & McKee, Inc. (CDM) in September 2003 to review, refine and complete a Draft Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP) that SEA Consultant’s, Inc. had prepared between August 2000 and May 2003. CDM’s primary objective was to collaboratively work with the Wastewater Management Study Committee (WMSC) to develop a recommended plan to provide the Town with a blueprint for a future wastewater management plan. This CWMP’s purpose is threefold in that it: „ „ „

Establishes long-term wastewater needs for the community. Prioritizes wastewater needs areas. Develops and screens viable alternatives for wastewater management in the Town.

The importance of this CWMP cannot be overstated. It is essential that the Town maintain high water quality in its public water supply; attenuate the indirect impacts of prominent, on-site, subsurface disposal systems, as well as the indirect impacts of sewer systems; protect the community’s natural resources including areas of critical environmental concern (ACEC); and understand the cost to both the Town and its residents of the potential options presented in the CWMP for wastewater collection, treatment, and disposal. The recommended plan of this CWMP would provide the Town of Easton with the best, cost-effective, long-term solution to its wastewater management objectives.

2.0

Existing Conditions

It is projected that Easton’s population will increase from 22,300 residents in 2000 to 29,500 residents in 2020. Currently, the Town is unsewered, primarily relying upon about 6,500 individual, on-site subsurface disposal systems to manage it wastewater needs. It also has three large conventional Title 5 systems (between 2,000 and 10,000 gallon per day (gpd)) and three very large conventional Title 5 systems (>10,000 gpd) systems, which serve condominium complexes. Four small (