Rising nitrogen levels in Kingston’s drinking water and the looming threat of state-mandated septic reductions have prompted local officials to move forward with a massive town-wide wastewater expansion plan. During a Tuesday session of the Kingston Sewer Commission, Cara Rosiki of CDM Smith detailed a 30% design phase for a 30,000-foot gravity sewer expansion across eight priority areas. The project aims to combat a worrying trend in the South Street and Milgate drinking water wells, where nitrate levels have climbed from 1 mg/L toward 3.5 mg/L. While still below the regulatory limit of 10 mg/L, Rosiki warned the trend indicates a clear septic influence that requires proactive intervention.

The Comprehensive Wastewater Management Plan (CWMP) focuses on a 40% nitrogen reduction for the Kingston Bay sub-embayment. Rosiki explained that if the town waits for the Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection to establish Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), Kingston could be forced to remove 75% of nitrogen within a strict 20-year window. By initiating the 30% design now—a phase expected to take roughly 10 months—the town remains eligible for 0% interest state revolving fund (SRF) loans, with an application deadline set for July 2026 and a construction target of 2028. Rosiki emphasized the strategic importance of the timeline, stating, The Kingston Bay sub-embayment requires a 40% septic load reduction. If MassDEP establishes Total Maximum Daily Loads, the town would be forced to remove 75% of nitrogen within 20 years. By starting now, the town works on its own clock.

The financial health of the Sewer Enterprise Fund also took center stage as Superintendent Dave Field provided a multi-year budget outlook. While the current fiscal year appears stable, projections for FY26 suggest a potential $54,000 shortfall, leading Field to prepare a protective warrant article. Looking ahead to FY27, Field expects to request a $300,000 article to maintain a surplus. Fixed operational costs continue to squeeze the department, with electricity and sludge hauling contracts accounting for $640,000 of the million-dollar operating budget. Field noted these are largely out of his control, though he highlighted a potential $90,000 windfall if the department can successfully challenge town-allocated administrative charges. Field is currently scrutinizing bills for IT and internet services, questioning why the department is charged $10,000 for Town Hall internet when it pays for its own separate connections at the plant and 17 pump stations.

Field reported to the commission, I've started going line-by-line on town-allocated costs... I see about $90,000 we could potentially save if these formulations aren't justified. Commission Chair Elaine Fiori backed this investigative approach, noting that the plant functions as a largely independent operation. If we don't get the backup to substantiate the charges, we need to look at that, Fiori said. Everything at the plant is a separate operating budget with outside vendors for equipment. This scrutiny comes as the town navigates a broader administrative reset under Town Administrator Scott Lambiase, who has been working to standardize policies across departments since his arrival in January.

The commission also addressed the ongoing Marramar (Miramar) project, which involves a complex sewer extension and connection to Duxbury. A first draft of the legal agreement is currently under review, with a formal discussion slated for next week. The commission has historically maintained a firm stance on large-scale developments, demanding 75% upfront payments—roughly $1.5 million of the $2 million project—to help shore up town deficits. This protective stance extends to infrastructure maintenance; Field noted that while the ragging situation at Riverside Drive is improving, the department remains vigilant about clogs caused by flushable wipes, which recently resulted in a $17,000 bill for one residential property.

Commissioner Mark Reardon, joining the meeting via Zoom, raised concerns about the allocation of green energy credits. He pointed out that credits from solar arrays at Silver Lake have tripled to $300,000 annually, yet these funds are not consistently returning to the Sewer Enterprise Fund despite increased electrical use. Reardon also suggested the department’s leaching fields are prime for solar to generate new revenue. We need to ensure the percentage of power purchase credits the town receives is going to our enterprise fund, Reardon said, emphasizing that the town must maintain capacity for clean businesses to help residents with their bills. Commissioner Brian Mulliken agreed, noting that the leaching field grass is growing back well and that the open space presents a major opportunity for generation. We should start looking at solar panels or some economical way for electrical generation up there, Mulliken added.

Public feedback during the session touched on both environmental and regional concerns. Bob Wells of the Water Department sought clarity on the nitrate trends, asking, Are those levels up to 3.5 on both South Street and Milgate wells? Rosiki confirmed that the Milgate well showed the more dramatic upward trend. Town Planner Valerie Massard inquired about regional coordination and the potential for extra credit from state regulators for being proactive. Are we focusing primarily on Kingston and not having Duxbury on our system at this time? Massard asked. Fiori clarified that while conversations with Duxbury continue, the current expansion design is a Kingston-centric initiative that has already secured $6 million in state grants.

Pine DuBois of the Jones River Watershed Association questioned whether the study accounted for pollution transported from Silver Lake versus local septic systems. Has there been an assessment of how much pollution is transported from Silver Lake versus surrounding septic? DuBois asked. Rosiki pointed to a 2017 study that provides a detailed breakdown of nitrogen contributions and promised to share the elevation data requested by DuBois. As the meeting concluded, the board signaled its intent to keep the town-wide expansion moving forward, emphasizing that the plan provides capacity for approximately 800 additional parcels, which will ultimately support the commercial tax base and protect the town’s long-term water quality.