By Carol Britton Meyer

A public hearing about the Weir River Water System’s proposed 3% rate increase will be held later this month to allow for customer input and an explanation of how the money will be used.

If approved by the water commissioners — consisting of the Hingham Select Board — the increase would begin July 1, at the same time that an annual capital debt service fee of $65 will go into effect for the next 30 years to pay for the new $1 million Strawberry Hill water tank in Hull, the associated booster station in Hingham, and the rehabilitation of Hingham’s Turkey Hill water tank.

At WRWS Managing Director/Superintendent Russell Tierney’s suggestion, the water commissioners Tuesday night approved a hearing date of Wednesday, January 28 – time and location to be announced on social media and posted on the Town of Hingham website. The Hull Times also will alert readers to the time and location of the rate hearing.

Customers in Hingham, Hull, and part of Cohasset recently received a letter explaining the proposed increase and noting that a public meeting would be scheduled soon.

Tierney earlier attributed the increase to WRWS’ contract with Veolia – which operates the system – and the significant increases in the cost of parts and materials over the past five years and expected to continue.

This is the first time that rates have increased since the Town of Hingham acquired the water company in 2021. A 10% rate increase was part of that contract.
At that time, a 10% increase every three years was anticipated, which turned out not to be the case.

“We’ve budgeted well to avoid that,” Tierney said in a follow-up to an earlier WRWS Citizens Advisory Board meeting.

When asked by a CAB member at that time what he anticipated for future increases following the one proposed for fiscal 2027, Tierney estimated a 3% increase every two years.

CAB members include Hull’s Director of Wastewater Operations/Assistant Director of Public Works John Struzziery and Hull select board member Brian McCarthy, as well as Stephen Girardi of Cohasset, Chair David Anderson, Charles Culpin, and Jim Broderick representing Hingham.

PFAS settlement

In other business at Tuesday’s water commissioners meeting, Tierney reported that WRWS was recently awarded $2 million as part of a settlement from a class-action lawsuit concerning PFAS exposure involving mainly DuPont and 3M.

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances that are known as “forever chemicals” because they don’t break down easily) were used for many years by manufacturers and have been named one of the largest contaminants of drinking water.

The date for full compliance with the new regulations has been moved from 2029 to 2031 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency to provide more time for public water systems to develop and implement solutions to address PFAS contamination in drinking water.

Last July, the water commissioners approved an agreement with a consulting and engineering services company for Phase 1 of a Water Treatment Plant Capacity Evaluation and PFAS Study for the Weir River Water System. The results of the PFAS study and related recommendations are expected this April.

The agreement calls for APEX Companies LLC, through Environmental Partners Group LLC, to share updates throughout the process.

Following quarterly samples taken last April, Tierney reported in July that WRWS remains in compliance with PFAS regulations. The study will show what WRWS needs to do and invest in to be sure the water company continues to comply with PFAS requirements, he said.

The $2 million will pay for the $180,940 study as well as design and permitting for any necessary work to meet the new 2031 regulations, but won’t cover all the related costs, according to Tierney.

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