The Mattapoisett River Valley Water District Commission hopes to become the first in Massachusetts to use Koch Membrane Systems’ Puron technology.
A 2016 report by sciencedirect.com said that Koch had announced the full operation of the largest membrane bioreactor plant in Europe. It is treating 100 percent of its incoming capacity with Puron modules.
MRV Commission members are not about to cross the Atlantic for a site visit. Still, they will need to venture across state lines in order to inspect a working system comparable to the one they hope the district member towns eventually vote to install.
“It’s a proven technology; it’s just not used in Massachusetts yet,” said Jon Gregory in his November 10 update to the commission.
“I’d like to see one of their newer systems being put in so we can see what it’s like to look at the system we’re going to install,” said Henri Renauld.
As of Tuesday’s joint meeting of the MRV Water Supply Protection Advisory Committee and District Commission, Gregory was ironing out labor numbers against prevailing wage rates in Massachusetts and hoping between now and MRV’s next meeting that “we’ll have this nailed down.” Costs could land between $3 million and $4 million.
Construction-wise, Renauld said stainless steel is necessary in the facility. Gregory agreed and said, “Let’s do it right.”
Paul Silva asked if MRV will separate the costs to be sure exactly how much if any savings the Puron system promises. Gregory said the costs would be itemized and that Koch will pilot the program with its own equipment. Silva advised full itemizing of the expenses because every member town’s finance committee is going to want that information, he said.
Emerging technology, on the one hand, can give the MRV Water District an edge as it seeks long-term methods of purifying its drinking water, but it also poses complications when it comes to equipment. Chairman Vinnie Furtado pointed out that making equipment last is a good thing, but the right choices have to be made in order not to be caught several years down the road looking for obsolete replacement filters and machine parts.
Gregory anticipates more municipal officials with more questions, and MRV will likely need to have Koch representatives visit once again. “Koch’s been very responsive for the most part…. They’re very interested in this project. If we need to have them in here, we’ll make that happen,” he said.
An update by Tata & Howard engineers is expected when the MRV meets on December 8.
As for the present, Renauld, in his Operations Update, said the Treatment Plant is running well, and testing has been done. Third-party testing is also happening for compliance. Some repairs have resulted. “We need to replace a heater at the back of the building that’s burnt out,” he said. Renauld also reported that the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection conducted a survey of the facility, and MRV passed. Renauld said, “DEP was pleased with our operating procedures.”
Dual member Rick Charon reported to the committee after a visit to Snipatuit Pond and said that beavers had moved up the river and built up a hut over in the reeds. “This was a structure; it’s a couple of feet up out of the water. We need to find someone to make them disappear,” he said.
Rochester Town Counsel Blair Bailey said there are three known dams in the pond. “Between now and when the (herring) run starts, we’re going to have to figure something out,” he said. Bailey has been working on the situation with Rochester Conservation Agent Laurell Farinon and state authorities.
Low water levels in 2020 have exacerbated the problem.
The MRV Water Supply Protection Advisory Committee reviewed an “approval not required” plan at 342 Snipatuit Road in Rochester, where Shawn McCombe is looking to construct a single-family home near his parents. The ANR Plan will divide the lots, and it’s expected that McCombe will install the required Title 5 septic system. Rochester does not require a denitrifying septic installation, but hope for that was expressed in the meeting. MRV members had no issues otherwise.
Under new business, Silva and Farinon questioned the need to budget $5,000 per year for data collection. Bailey and Furtado pointed to the protection of the district and the value of that data against any allegations or conflicting information. The matter will be on the next agenda and may be discussed by both the committee and the commission together.
The committee’s next meeting is scheduled for December 8 at 3:30 pm. The commission is scheduled to follow at 4:00 pm.
MRV Water Supply Protection Advisory Committee/District Commission
By Mick Colageo