The Town of Plymouth is extremely pleased to announce that will receive $2,500,000 in federal funding for an important improvement project at the Town’s municipal Wastewater Treatment Plant.

On December 23rd, Massachusetts’ Congressional Delegation announced that it secured an estimated $225 million in Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) within the Fiscal Year 2023 federal spending bill for 160 community based projects across the state, ranging from housing and workforce development programs to transportation, education, and environmental improvement projects.

The funds secured for Plymouth will be applied towards the installation of a New Tertiary Filter Project at the Plymouth Wastewater Treatment Plant (“WWTP”), an initiative led by Plymouth’s Department of Public Works (“DPW”). The Project involves the design, installation, and integration of an additional, tertiary cloth filtration system that will reduce the discharge of pollutants and pathogens; ensure greater protection of sensitive environmental resources; augment the reliability and resiliency of the facility; and assist the Town with meeting increasingly stringent permitting limits. 

While the Town’s proposed improvements at the WWTP are specifically aimed at protecting and preserving the quality of the local groundwater and the filtration of the water that flows into Eel River and Plymouth Harbor, this initiative has regional environmental impacts, not only for the neighboring towns of Kingston and Duxbury—whose bays share tidal flow with Plymouth Harbor—but for thousands of property owners in other, nearby communities who rely on Plymouth’s WWTP for the acceptance and processing of residential and commercial septage.

“This federal funding for the New Tertiary Filter Project is wonderful news for Plymouth and the surrounding South Shore communities,” said Senator Elizabeth Warren. “I fought to secure this funding because federal investments in local infrastructure are essential to promoting economic growth, creating more resilient communities, and protecting our environment.”

“All across Massachusetts, community leaders work tirelessly to build a brighter future for our Commonwealth, and I am so proud of the funding we’ve secured in the FY23 spending package to help them do that important work,” said Senator Ed Markey. “This $2.5 million investment will help the Town prevent pollution of groundwater and protect the cornerstone of the region’s social, economic, and cultural vitality: Plymouth Bay.”   

“These federal funds coming to the Commonwealth are the result of a robust, transparent Community Project Funding process that saw our Congressional delegation working closely with local municipalities, institutions of higher learning, and non-profits,” said Representative William Keating.  “I am incredibly proud of the investments being made in Southeastern Massachusetts – from  wastewater infrastructure to food security and early childhood education and more; these grants will continue to pay dividends for decades to come.”

“The Town is extremely grateful to Senator Warren, Senator Markey, and Congressman Keating for their commitment to water quality protection and their advocacy on behalf of our request,” said Plymouth’s Town Manager, Derek Brindisi. “The securing of $2.5 million for this project shows that our delegation recognizes the important role that Plymouth’s WWTP plays in preserving water quality, not only for Plymouth, but for our neighboring communities throughout the South Shore.”

The Town intends to initiate the New Tertiary Filter Project at the WWTP as soon as funding is received.  The DPW estimates that the completion of this large-scale improvement project—from design to construction—could take up to two years.