Wayland Public Works Board picks hybrid MWRA water plan in 4-1 vote

WAYLAND — October 15, 2024 — Wayland Public Works Board picks hybrid MWRA water plan over chair's dissent. The board voted 4-1 Tuesday to pursue a permanent Massachusetts Water Resources Authority connection that will supply roughly 15 percent of the town's water, while a new PFAS treatment plant is built at Happy Hollow to supply the remaining 85 percent. Chair George Uveges cast the lone no vote, arguing a full MWRA conversion would save roughly $13 million in capital and reduce long-term operating risk: "I think that would be a mistake." Member Judy Ling, who moved the hybrid, said water is too important to rely on a single source. Consultants Kirsten Ryan of Kleinfelder and Matt Abrahams modeled the project on a state revolving fund loan at 2 percent over 20 years, with MWRA assessments rising no more than 3.9 percent annually. Current Wayland water rates stand at $4,356 per million gallons.