East Bridgewater water project wins approval
By Alice Judge, Enterprise correspondent

EAST BRIDGEWATER — Residents at Monday's town meeting approved a $14.15 million water main project aimed at ending brown water with high levels of iron and manganese.

The project would create two water filtration plants and replace 32,000 feet of water mains.

A 2-percent loan through the state revolving loan fund program has already been approved for the town for the project. However, those terms are only until the end of June.

Residents would see the cost reflected in their water bills.

The water problem has ruined residents' clothing and stained bathtubs and toilets.

At last year's town meeting, it was decided that a water system study would be conducted, and, on Monday, the company that performed the study, Coler and Colantonio, used a slide-show presentation to show its findings and recommendations.

The work to replace the pipes and two water filtration plants includes three phases that would start this year and continue for several years.

Department of Public Works Director John Haines said Monday that providing fire flow capability was important. There has been a problem in the past because the Fire Department has not had sufficient water pressure to extinguish fires.

The decision to approve the water project at town meeting did not come without much discussion. Residents suggested only replacing the pipes at this time, but Haines assured those in attendance “that you will still get brown water.”

“I urge you today to support this article,” said Haines. “The problem will not go away and will only get worse. We need to get this project done now.”

Karen DeBendito of Leo Way said she would be the most affected by having the filtration plants abutting her backyard and her quality of life and property value would be affected.

Haines said his department will work with DeBendito on the cosmetic look and size of the plants to her satisfaction.