Comprehensive Town-wide Water System Master Plan for Sharon, MA
The Town of Sharon hired Weston & Sampson to perform a comprehensive town-wide Water System Master Plan. The town’s Water Management Advisory Committee requested assistance compiling all the historical work performed in Sharon related to the water system. The goal of the project was to compile all water system capital recommendations into one usable electronic planning document.
Weston & Sampson reviewed the work performed to date regarding the water conservation efforts and the water demand analysis and summarized the impacts of these projections and made recommendations for future efforts. We then evaluated the six existing water system well pump station facilities and made recommendations for future improvements.
Weston & Sampson reviewed the town’s wells and quality, investigated ways to increase the capacity of the existing wells, and looked for new water source alternatives. We reviewed opportunities for wastewater reuse and/or stormwater recharge as well as regional water supplies with the Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) and Aquaria. We provided cost estimates associated with water withdrawal permits and required infrastructure.
Weston & Sampson updated the town’s water system GIS and then utilized the GIS to update the water system hydraulic model. We then used the hydraulic model to identify future infrastructure requirements, both to meet development needs and to update aging infrastructure. A water distribution system asset management rating database was prepared for Sharon that compiled many different parameters (i.e. installation year, material of construction, backfill material, available fire flow, critical customers, roadway condition and ranking, etc.) to help the town prioritize the improvements.