2022 Wastewater and Water Feasibility Study

Last Update: December 15, 2022

Project Background

The Town Waitsfield, Planning Commission and Water Commission have undertaken a “Waste Water and Water Feasibility Study” to explore options for infrastructure improvements, wastewater solutions and potential expansion of water service for Irasville and Waitsfield Villages. The project is overseen by the newly created Water and Wastewater Feasibility Study Committee (WWFSC) made up of members from the Selectboard, Planning Commission, and Water Commission.

This study is fully funded by State ARPA funds through The Agency of Natural Resources (ANR), Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) through the Clean Water Revolving Loan Program. The Town has received full funding for the study and there is no cost to the Waitsfield taxpayers for the feasibility study.

Through an RFQ selection process led by the WWFSC, the Town hired engineering consultants DuBois & King, Inc. to evaluate centralized and decentralized waste water solutions in the town's identified growth areas and analyze options for extending our current public water service.  The final product from DuBois and King (D&K) will be a Water and Wastewater Feasibility Study Report that will compile all findings and summarize options and recommended solutions to both of these questions.  The report can also serve as the basis for a Preliminary Engineering Report if the Town decides to proceed with any of the proposed projects.

The final report from DuBois & King is due this fall and there will be a public engagement meeting to present the findings.  The 60% Report was finalized on September 26, 2022 and can be found here (the potential site locations identified in this Feasibility Study have been selected based on scientific and engineering analysis, no owners have been contacted, no onsite testing has been performed - these are preliminary locations identified for the purposes of this feasibility study).

Associated Documents:

Events:

  • October 26, 2022 - Community Meeting @ the Waitsfield Meeting House (United Church of Christ)
    • Dubois & King and the Wastewater and Water Committee provided an update on the Wastewater and Water Feasibility Study including a review of the findings included in the 60% Report and an outline of next steps.
    • The meeting recording can be found here.
    • Presentation slides can be found here.

Why do a Waste Water and Water Infrastructure/Feasibility Study?

  • As a way to address the need for housing. Access to utility infrastructure is an important step in addressing affordable housing development
  • More robust wastewater infrastructure can open the door for “infill” development opportunities in Irasville and new development in identified “growth areas” in Town
  • To address old and failing waste water systems
  • To protect and promote clean water (a Department of Environmental Conservation focus)
  • Preservation of our existing wetlands and habitats
  • To promote a clean Mad River
  • To provide Town services for a future healthy, sustainable, and resilient Waitsfield

The Water and Wastewater Feasibility Study Committee

  • Alice Peal, Chair (Planning Commission)
  • Bob Cook (Planning Commission)
  • Robin Morris (Water Commission)
  • Chach Curtis (Selectboard)
  • Brian Voigt (Planning Commission)
  • AnnMarie Harmon (Planning Commission)

Agendas and meeting minutes can be found here.

Project Contacts:

Please contact us with any questions or comments you have about the project.

  • JB Weir, Planning & Zoning Administrator
  • Annie Decker-Dell’Isola, Town Administrator