Steering Committee Meeting - 4/9/23
On April 9, the Kings Beach Steering Committee met to discuss progress on mitigating water quality issues related to Stacey’s Brook and Kings Beach.
The Lynn Water and Sewer Commission (LWSC) updated the Committee on their Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination (IDDE) efforts implemented by Environmental Partners Group, LLC (Environmental Partners). The Lynn IDDE plan was submitted to the USEPA and MADEP in December of 2021, and preliminary field investigations using field and laboratory analysis along with CCTV identified locations within the 900-acre King’s Beach Watershed with elevated levels of ammonia, surfactants, bacteria (enterococcus), and pharmaceuticals and personal care products (PPCPs). CCTV was also used to identify broader vulnerabilities in the system such as deteriorating sewer and drain pipes as well as improper pet waste management.
Phase 1 began in March 2021 within 14 drainage subcatchment areas. 25 locations had dry weather flow and were sampled for contamination. Follow-up investigations were recommended for 12 locations where elevated contaminants of concern were observed.
Phase 2 was conducted in May and June of 2022. Among the 25 locations that had dry weather flow and were sampled for contamination, 10 locations had elevated levels of contaminants. Environmental Partners identified 3 illicit connections to the drainage system in 2022, which were disconnected from the system by LWSC or their contractor.
In spring of 2023, field investigations included follow-up screening and sampling in areas where illicit connections were observed. Also, preliminary investigations along the culverted portion of Old Stacey Brook were completed. The laboratory data from both of these are still pending and will be documented in the next semi-annual progress report to USEPA and MADEP in July 2023. IDDE investigations and CCTV work will continue in Lynn throughout the Summer of 2023.
This map displays the 2023 Sampling Program by Environmental Partners in Lynn
Swampscott also updated the Committee on their IDDE projects, implemented by the engineering consultant Kleinfelder. Beginning in 2015, the project focused on improving or replacing sewer and drainage infrastructure in a system that was over 100 years old. Phase 1 of this project was completed in 2022 in accordance with the ongoing Consent Decree between the Town of Swampscott and USEPA.
The map displays the project area for Phase 1 of Kleinfelder’s IDDE work in Swampscott
Phase 1A began in April 2017 and was completed in September 2017, and included the replacement of 6” clay sewer pipes with 6,000 LF of 8” PVC sanitary sewer pipe; 32 VF of manhole rehabilitation; 25 underdrain manhole repairs; and 120 VF of lateral chimney replacements.
Phase 1B began in November 2018 and was completed in January 2020. Phase 1B included approximately 17,000 LF of cured-in-place (CIPP) lining; 11 mainline sewer spot repairs; the lining and sealing of 160 manholes; and CIPP lining of 202 sewer service laterals.
Phase 1C was started in March 2021 and construction was completed in October 2022, which included approximately 14,500 LF of CIPP lining; 12 mainline sewer pipe spot repairs; 102 lateral spot repairs; the lining and sealing of 73 sewer manholes; the lining and sealing of 24 combined sewer/underdrain manholes; and CIPP lining of 227 sewer service laterals.
This table shows the percentage of infrastructure in the King’s Beach Drainage Area that was replaced in Swampscott during Phase 1
By completing Phase 1, the Town has addressed a significant portion of the sewer infrastructure draining to King’s Beach. Post-construction monitoring of Phase 1 shows significant reductions in bacterial contamination. Looking forward, Kleinfelder representatives also discussed site possibilities for a UV infection treatment plant to complement IDDE efforts. Currently, 3 preliminary sites are being considered and the company is working on defining the potential scope of the facility alongside public outreach and visualization to show what it might look like.
The Commission’s government officials discussed the best ways to move the UV treatment plant forward. Swampscott Town Administrator Sean Fitzgerald highlighted the importance of resident feedback and public meetings to discuss the optimal placement of the facility. The site decision will ultimately be made by the Swampscott Select Board. Fitzgerald also discussed the importance of getting the project “shovel ready” in a timely manner to capitalize on existing funding and make the facility appealing to additional sources of state and federal funding.
Lynn Mayor Jared Nicholson stressed that the new facility would supplement existing IDDE efforts by both towns, and that both source elimination and UV treatment will work simultaneously to improve the water quality on King’s Beach. Following the letter sent to Secretary Rebecca Tepper of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs in January, the Committee set up a meeting with Secretary Tepper to discuss funding options for the UV facility on May 30, 2023.