Hopkinton/Webster Transfer Station Septage Lagoon Closing
Septage Lagoon Permit Renewal and New Hampshire Department of Environmental (NHDES) Findings
The Hopkinton-Webster Transfer Station been accepting septage from Hopkinton and Webster for decades. In March 2021, the Town of Hopkinton sought to renew its Septage Lagoon Permit at the Hopkinton - Webster Transfer Station. As a result of this application, an inspection took place on August 6, 2021, when multiple violations were noted, including the presence of untreated residual solids from the lagoons stored in steep, high stockpiles/ berms around the lagoons.
NHDES Field Inspection Findings
As part of the permit renewal process, additional monitoring and sampling were requested by NHDES. Monitoring was performed between April 2022 and May 2023 and samples were collected from select monitoring wells and discharge wells. Based on the monitoring data, multiple exceedances were detected, including PFAS concentrations. The Groundwater Management Periodic Summary Report stated that PFAS is present in septage residuals and is likely the primary source contributing to groundwater contamination in the immediate vicinity of the septage lagoons.
Town Notification to NHDES of Testing Results
Septage Lagoon Closure Plan Development
The Town explored three options for compliance.
- Alternative 1- Excavation and Beneficial Reuse. Because Hopkinton had received septage from commercial and industrial sources, the stockpiled residuals at the lagoon could not be excavated and beneficially applied to land.
- Alternative 2- Clean Up and Permit Renewal. Excavation of the residual materials with off-site disposal was considered but the estimated $13,869,440 required for the clean-up was cost prohibitive.
- Alternative 3 - Closure as a Monofill. Closure on site as a monofill, by consolidating waste and capping the site, was the last alternative evaluated. The estimated cost for closure as a monofill was $3,840,000.
Remedial Alternatives Assessment
The Town selected closure as a monofill/landfill as the most cost effective way to manage the septage residuals and come into compliance with groundwater quality standards. A detailed multi-phased Septage Lagoon Closure Plan was developed that included updated cost estimates for closure.
Hopkinton Receives Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) loan for $4,015,000 (10% -$401,500 forgivable) for Septage Lagoon Closure
In 2024, 69 municipal applicants submitted requests totaling $620,834,865, to NH Department of Environmental Services (NHDES) for Clean Water State Revolving Fund (CWSRF) funding. The CWSRF provides low-cost financial assistance for planning, design, and construction projects to communities. Of the $75,627,952 of funding that was awarded, the Town of Hopkinton was approved for a $4,015,000 loan for the Hopkinton-Webster Septage Lagoon Closure. NHDES also approved a forgivable amount of 10% ($401,500).
CWSRF Loans provide the following benefits:
- Below-market loan rates with no closing costs or origination fees, and no prepayment penalties.
- Additional subsidy in the form of loan forgiveness may be available to make projects more affordable and sustainable for New Hampshire communities.
- Disbursement requests can be made as project costs are incurred, and interest on disbursements is 1% until the project reaches substantial completion.
- Loan repayments begin up to one year after substantial completion at the lowest available loan rate. Loan recipients receive the lower of either the rate at the time of loan origination or the rate at the time of loan closure.
- CWSRF staff assistance is available through every step of the project. This includes project planning and administration, design review, environmental review, and construction and compliance oversight.
https://www.des.nh.gov/business-and-community/loans-and-grants/clean-water-state-revolving-fund
Budget and Timeline
- The total amount of he loan will be $4,015,000 minus 10% ($3,614,000).
- Estimated construction would begin in 2025 and continue through 2026.
- The interest rate during construction for the first two years would be 1%.
- The Town of Webster will pay 25% of the costs of the 20-year loan.
- The first-year payment for the long-term loan is estimated to be $291,722 with Webster reimbursing $72,931 of that cost.
There will be a request at the 2025 Town Meeting to approve the bond needed to move forward with the clean-up.
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