Brockton's water facilities look to the future, thanks to stimulus

Brockton's aging wastewater treatment plant and sewer system recently received a major upgrade and stimulus funds helped make it happen.

The city just finished up a $100 million project to overhaul the plant and its sewer system. The project involved an $11 million stimulus grant for the rehabilitation of two of the sewer systems which had environmental and public health issues associated with overflows and discharge violations.

The grant also renovated the wastewater treatment plant's sludge-burning incinerator at a cost of $3.6 million.

According to David Norton, who oversees the plant, the incinerator upgrade will reduce emissions of particulate matter and hydrocarbons.

"We are truly positioning these facilities for the future," said Mike Thoreson, Brockton Commissioner for its Department of Public Works. The upgrade involves a new control room which, said Norton, makes the plant more functional and provides enhanced security.

The city, added Thoreson, would eventually like the plant to be used as a regional resource.

"This is a major turnaround for Brockton," said Jack Hamm, Massachusetts Department of Environmental Protection program manager of municipal services, southeast and central region. "Six years ago this was a different place."