Wakefield/MWRA Interconnection Status and Updates
LCWD is proposing an interconnection with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) (through the Town of Wakefield) for redundant and reliable water supply. This water supply will support the Lynnfield through the summer months where it currently struggles to maintain supply required for customers and fire protection.
The project is required to undergo review per the Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act (MEPA), specifically due to the transfer of water from another water basin in the state. For compliance with Environmental Justice requirement, fact sheets about this project are provided in English, Chinese, and Portuguese at the bottom of this page.
This page contains information on the project and the two phases of the project:
- Phase 1 – construction of an interconnection to connect the LCWD system to the Town of Wakefield (for the purposes of taking MWRA water from the Wakefield system) and
- Phase 2 – request for interbasin transfer to complete of the MWRA admission process.
LCWD submitted an Initial Expanded Environmental Notification Form (EENF) with the documentation (referred to as a technical docket) for the Phase 1 of the project (construction of the interconnection) to stakeholders on June 15, 2023 and published in the Environmental Monitor on June 23, 2023. LCWD requested (and was approved) a Special Review Procedure (SRP) for the Phase 1, with the goal of receiving approval while Phase 2 is in review. This allows the bidding of the construction project to move forward and for construction to commence this fall, with the interconnection in place for emergency purposes.
This filing can be found under “MEPA Environmental Register” filings, along with the Secretary’s Certificate with comments on this Initial EENF and establishing the Special Review Procedure.
The documentation (technical docket) for Phase 2 (request for interbasin transfer to complete of the MWRA admission process) was submitted on July 31, 2023 and published in the August 9, 2023 Environmental Register as a Revised EENF, and certificate issued on September 18, 2023.. The filing can be found under “MEPA Environmental Register” filings below.
The certificate for the Revised EENF approved a Single Environmental Impact Report (SEIR) as the final submittal to MEPA for review of the project. Preparation of the SEIR is underway and anticipated to be submitted in February 2024.
Additional Resources
LCWD held an informational meeting with time for questions at their July 19, 2023 meeting, with a Zoom link for those who could not attend in person. The presentation and agenda are linked below:
July 19 2023 Board Meeting Agenda FINAL
LCWD July 19, 2023 Board Meeting Presentation EJ
MEPA Environmental Register filings
Initial EENF and Phase 1 Technical Docket, and Request for Special Review Procedure (June 15, 2023)
https://eeaonline.eea.state.ma.us/EEA/MEPA-eMonitor/submittal/9118e12c-3b22-463d-ae63-5813383ff056
Secretary’s Certificate Establishing the Requested Special Review Procedure (July 31, 2023)
https://eeaonline.eea.state.ma.us/EEA/MEPA-eMonitor/submittal/adf62114-401d-49f5-9086-98e2a14ddae6
Revised EENF with Phase 2 (Interbasin Transfer) Technical Docket (August 7, 2023)
https://eeaonline.eea.state.ma.us/EEA/MEPA-eMonitor/submittal/5cf5923b-b9cc-47ed-b3a4-4626120a3f07
Secretary’s Certificate on the Revised EENF (September 15, 2023)
https://eeaonline.eea.state.ma.us/EEA/MEPA-eMonitor/submittal/813eedda-1917-4fd3-b055-d3df121a65a7
Environmental Justice Project Fact Sheets
Chinese-EJ screening form LCWD Project Final