Letter: Why Dalton Sewer Bills Are Increasing
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Dalton residents are understandably concerned about the substantial increase in sewer bills. To put this in context, understanding that this increase was the result of a Federal mandate and not a local decision is important.
Dalton does not have its own wastewater treatment plant. Our sewage is sent to Pittsfield and treated at Pittsfield's wastewater treatment plant. Several years ago, Pittsfield was required by federal environmental regulations to make major upgrades to their plant, particularly substantial upgrades needed to reduce nutrients such as nitrogen discharged into the environment. These
were not improvements Pittsfield simply chose to make; they were compelled to make them to meet federal requirements.
Those improvements cost Pittsfield $77M, which Dalton benefits from because Pittsfield treats our sewage. Dalton therefore has a responsibility for its fair share of those costs. Although the upgraded plant came online in 2020, Dalton has not been paying its share of those new capital costs. Consequently, the increase residents are now facing reflects costs that, realistically, we
should have begun paying six years ago.
Unfortunately, building our own wastewater treatment plant is not a practical, less expensive alternative. Ignoring that we do not have a location for one, constructing, operating, staffing, and maintaining a treatment plant that meets today's environmental standards would cost Dalton substantially more than continuing to rely on Pittsfield to treat our wastewater.
I am hoping that although we don't like a higher sewer bill, knowing the background may make it somewhat easier to accept.
Bob Bishop
Dalton Select Board, Chair
