Wayland Board of Health backs reduced wastewater design at high school

WAYLAND — March 24, 2025 — Wayland Board of Health backs 8,000-gallon wastewater design at high school, opening door to a passive system. The board voted 4-0 March 24 to support Town Engineer Abby Cutting's request for a state variance reducing the high school's design flow from 12,000 to 8,000 gallons per day, after a Pine Bond report pegged reactivation of the dormant treatment plant at roughly $5.5 million plus $3.6 million in 20-year O&M costs. Cutting said actual school-year flows averaged 1,400 to 1,700 gallons per day and that a more "passive system" would better handle seasonal swings in the Zone 2 wellhead area. The board also voted to require weekend lifeguards at the Oxbow apartment pool, citing 94 to 96 percent occupancy and more than 30 resident minors, and accepted a passing Title 5 inspection at 22 Forest Hill Road over a competing failed report from Wind River Environmental.