Water Treatment Plant PFAS Upgrades Costing
EPA-mandated upgrades to remove PFAS contaminants carry a preliminary $33.5 million price tag with high contingency and administrative fees, prompting intense oversight on cost justification for all residents.
EPA-mandated PFAS upgrades at the water treatment plant carry a preliminary $33.5 million estimate that has drawn scrutiny over contingency and administrative costs. The MBAC acknowledged the regulatory requirement during its July 9, 2026 meeting but called for further data and testing before advancing. Residents and board members alike seek greater transparency on fees and overall project justification.
The Water Treatment Plant PFAS Upgrades issue surfaced during the July 9, 2026 MBAC meeting when a preliminary presentation outlined the need to modify the existing plant to comply with new EPA guidelines on PFAS contaminants.
The presentation estimated total project costs at roughly $33.5 million and noted that filtration media testing, such as GAC, would be required through spring 2027 to finalize building size and design.
Significant discussion centered on the high contingency percentages and engineering/construction administration fees contained in the early estimates, prompting questions about justification and competitive pricing.
Board members recognized the EPA mandate as the driving force behind the project while emphasizing the need for additional detailed data before proceeding further.
Public commenters raised parallel concerns about the single-figure cost presentation, the project's vetting status with the CIP, and overall funding plans, all of which would ultimately affect ratepayers and taxpayers.
At this early stage the committee received the information without taking any formal action, leaving cost refinement and testing as the immediate next steps.
Conduct water filtration testing through Spring 2027 to determine the appropriate media and refine cost estimates.
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