Many communities in the upper Taunton River watershed have prepared or are preparing comprehensive wastewater management plans.  A regional approach might provide a number of benefits that have not yet been explored.  The purpose of this evaluation project is to investigate opportunities for regional initiatives that are cost-effective, leverage local and state political and financial resources, increase flexibility in addressing planning and growth issues and increase opportunities for collaborating to identify alternatives that keep water local and make the best use of each community’s unique natural resources and infrastructure assets.  The communities participating in the project are Abington, Avon, Bridgewater, Brockton, East Bridgewater, Easton, Foxborough, Mansfield, Norton, Raynham, Sharon, Stoughton, Taunton, West Bridgewater and Whitman. 

The wastewater evaluation project is the first phase 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 Phase 1 approach will build public consensus and positive working relationships.  It will lay the groundwork for ongoing collaboration.  It will result in recommendations for regional solutions to wastewater treatment and disposal that protect the environment and meet the goals and needs of each community.  An Environmental Notification Form outlining the Phase 1 recommendations will be filed with the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act Unit in the fall of 2009 and will be further evaluated in Phase 2 of the project.