Sen. Eldridge and Reps. Arciero and Sena Announce Signing of Littleton - Boxborough Water Legislation by Governor Healey
Legislation Authorizes Littleton Water Department to deliver water to Boxborough environmental justice neighborhood that had PFAS contamination
BOXBOROUGH — State Senator Jamie Eldridge (D-Marlborough), Representative James Arciero (D-Littleton), and Representative Danillo Sena (D-Acton) are pleased to announce that H.4246 “An Act authorizing the town of Littleton to provide drinking water to the inhabitants of the town of Boxborough” has been signed by Governor Healey on August 26, 2024. This act allows the Littleton Electric, Light, and Water Departments (LELWD) to provide water to 1100 residents living in an environmental justice (EJ) community within the town of Boxborough.
This EJ community makes up 20% of Boxborough’s population and has been receiving water from wells contaminated with per-and-polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS or “forever chemicals”), sodium, and chlorine exceeding Massachusetts Drinking Water Standards. Long-term consumption of PFAS exceeding these levels can pose significant negative health risks. Massachusetts law requires entities responsible for water systems to take measures to reduce chemical traces below state standards or find new, safe water supplies. Up until now, several homeowners’ associations (HOAs) have been in charge of providing water to the community. Without the LELWD, the property owners themselves would have had to pay for and arrange the installation of new water treatment systems.
“Everyone has the right to clean drinking water,” said Senator Jamie Eldridge. “It's why our drinking water standards laws require us to act. We must meet this call to action and protect the residents in Boxborough from the long-term effects of PFAS, so I’m grateful to Governor Healey for signing H4246. I extend my thanks to the residents of Boxborough and Littleton, the town officials of Boxborough and Littleton, and the LELWD. The region is lucky to have LELWD, and the organization’s continued expansion to deliver clean water to more residents is deeply appreciated.”
“Great to work with Nick Lawler, James Duggan, and the other Littleton municipal officials in passing legislation for this critically important regional water infrastructure project. This undertaking will help to ensure quality clean public drinking water for those residents in Boxborough through an expanded Littleton system. Thank you to Senator Eldridge and Representative Sena for their partnership and diligence in getting this bill finalized and to Governor Healey for signing the measure into law,” said Representative James Arciero.
“Our community deserves clean drinking water, and this will help provide residents of Boxborough with water without facing the effects of PFAS. I’m proud of the work of local leaders from Boxborough, Littleton, the LELWD, and the legislature to move this important bill forward and see it signed into law by Governor Healey,” said Representative Danillo Sena.
The Boxborough community will now be connected to Littleton’s water supply with a new pipeline that will run southwest from Whitcomb Avenue down to Codman Hill Road. The LELWD will also construct a new well to help meet the increased water demand. The project will be paid for by a loan from Massachusetts Drinking Water State Revolving Fund which will be repaid by the LELWD and betterment fees from the Boxborough residents over the next 20-30 years. When taken all together, Boxborough residents will be paying less through the LELWD.
“I truly appreciate that our elected state officials recognized the urgency and importance of bringing clean drinking water to a part of Boxborough that needs LELWD’s assistance. Through the efforts of state officials, and many others, we can now move forward with LELWD’s Board of Commissioners vision of assisting an Environmental Justice community’s public health,” said Nick Lawler, General Manager of Littleton Electric, Light, and Water Departments
This extension has had consistent support from the communities of Boxborough and Littleton, the LELWD, and the State Legislature.
“As a significant portion of Boxborough’s population has been impacted by water contamination, requiring reliance on bottled water, our community is deeply appreciative of the efforts made by Senator Eldridge, Representative Sena, Representative Arciero, and the entire legislature. Their commitment and advocacy have led to crucial legislation that enables the town of Littleton and the Littleton Electric Light and Water Department to provide Boxborough with clean, safe drinking water,” said Michael C. Johns, Boxborough Town Administrator. “This partnership not only addresses an urgent public health need but also brings the added benefit of establishing the town’s first fire hydrants, enhancing the safety and well-being of our residents. We extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in making this possible.”
There was never a hesitation by the Littleton Select Board to be a supportive partner with LELWD’s General Manager Nick Lawler, and the Water Commissioners to endorse the efforts of Littleton’s State Delegation of Senator Eldridge and Representative Arciero to have H4246 signed into law that will provide the necessary clean drinking water to our Boxborough neighbors,” said James A. Duggan, Littleton Town Administrator.
This authorization comes as part of a long list of steps for this extension project. With the authorization, the LELWD can move forward with constructing the extension once planning and bidding are completed.
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