We appreciate your interest in the Upper Taunton River Regional Wastewater Evaluation Project.

The area of the Upper Taunton River Watershed has experienced significant growth over the past decade. Known as the South Coast, the area is a focus of the Patrick Administration for implementing Smart Growth principles due to continuing development pressure. The watershed communities are located within the fast growing belt along Interstates I-95, I-495 and Route 24 between Boston and Providence. The region has outstanding recreational and natural resources. Appropriate wastewater treatment and disposal practices are critical to supporting the communities' economic development plans and protecting the natural environment.

The wastewater evaluation project is the first in a two-phase approach to identifying feasible regional solutions to wastewater treatment and disposal that are based on current community facilities and plans for the future. The project is community driven. It will identify feasible, regional wastewater disposal and water recharge opportunities for communities to advance to the next phase of building regional collaborations for implementation, if they choose. The solutions will reach beyond local borders, encourage collaboration and meet communities goals for economic development, growth and quality of life, and public and environmental health protection. Potential solutions will include non-traditional disposal options for further evaluation in Phase 2 of the project. Generating local interest and participation and encouraging community leaders to collaborate regionally in future implementation projects, and providing the tools to do so, is critical to the success of the project.

The project is a collaboration among numerous stakeholders, including 15 communities, the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection, the Old Colony Planning Council, Southeastern Regional Planning and Economic Development District and Metropolitan Area Planning Council. We are working closely with the Steering Committee of Bridgewater State College's Taunton River Watershed Study to make sure the projects are complementary and share information effectively. The Taunton River Watershed Study is looking at water resources, including water balance, habitat and other issues. Please follow this link to learn more about the study.