Last summer and fall the planning commission worked with Stone
Environmental of Montpelier to undertake a study of wastewater options
for Waitsfield Village, with an emphasis on exploring whether a series
of smaller, decentralized systems could work for Waitsfield, opposed to a
single, larger, "big pipe" solution.
Waitsfield voters rejected a single, large, municipal wastewater system
three years ago when such a system was presented along with the
municipal water project that was approved and is under construction (and
litigation) right now.
At the February 1 meeting, the Waitsfield Planning Commission will
present the findings of a fall 2010 committee study, "Assessment of
Decentralized Wastewater Options: A survey of needs, capacity and
solutions for Historic Waitsfield Village and Irasville, Vermont."
Funded by a municipal planning grant, the study evaluates the needs and
capacity for "small pipe" decentralized wastewater treatment options in
Irasville and historic Waitsfield Village. The effort was initiated by
the Waitsfield Select Board as a method to evaluate viable alternatives
to the "big pipe" taxpayer-supported centralized wastewater system,
which was voted down in spring 2008.
Launched last August, the study was prepared by Stone Environmental and
was overseen by a volunteer subcommittee of the Waitsfield Planning
Commission. The study updates the existing 2001 survey of water supply
and wastewater treatment infrastructure in the town, re-evaluates
wastewater treatment and dispersal capacity and needs in light of the
municipal water project now under construction, and evaluates wastewater
management options.
The final report and executive summary, both of which will be available
at the meeting, incorporate results from a homeowner/landowner survey of
the study area, detailed maps that spotlight capacity and need, and
recommended next steps.
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