The Town of Wayland, Massachusetts partnered with ECT for long-term wastewater solutions to address aging treatment infrastructure, wastewater management needs at the Town’s schools, and water quality concerns within the Dudley Pond watershed. ECT led the evaluation of wastewater alternatives, assessing technical feasibility, regulatory constraints, environmental impacts, and long-term costs. The study focused on developing a sustainable solution that would serve the high school, middle school, and portions of the Dudley Pond area while protecting the Town’s sensitive groundwater resources and drinking water supplies.
A key driver of the project was the need to address challenges associated with the existing wastewater systems, including the Wayland High School treatment facility, which was experiencing operational and regulatory issues, as well as concerns related to wastewater disposal within Drinking Water Protection Zones. ECT conducted a comprehensive alternatives analysis that considered decentralized treatment systems, local treatment and disposal options, and regional conveyance alternatives. Through this process, the team identified several alternatives that were not technically, financially, or environmentally viable and narrowed the focus to the most feasible long-term solutions.
The study ultimately positioned the town to make informed decisions regarding future wastewater infrastructure investments while supporting broader environmental and public health objectives. In addition to addressing wastewater needs, the recommended alternatives were evaluated for their ability to reduce risks to Dudley Pond, protect the drinking water wells, and provide resilient, regulatory-compliant wastewater management for future generations.