To the editor:
Dear Swampscott Select Board, and members of the public,
This letter is an attempt to address the questions and concerns that have been raised about a possible UV Pilot Project for King’s Beach in 2025.
Thank you all for your commitment to this town, your fiscal responsibility, and your thoughtfulness in addressing the many challenges and issues that come before you each week. The pollution at King’s Beach is just one of many things you have had to become experts on in the past few years, and I truly appreciate the time and consideration you’ve given this seemingly simple, but increasingly complex issue.
As we approach the continued conversation about the UV pilot project expected on Thursday, February 20, I am taking this opportunity to clarify and hopefully guide the select board and the people of Swampscott to our goal. I am approaching this as both a Swampscott resident and executive director of Save the Harbor/Save the Bay, which elevated this issue in 2021 to the point where new community organizations as well as city, town, and regional committees have been founded to address this priority concern.
While many good questions have been asked about specific costs and locations of a UV pilot and permanent facility, the question at the heart of the current conversation that I believe Swampscott needs to vote on is “What is the value of an open, swimmable King’s Beach to the public in 2025?”
If after examining the issue you decide to vote no on moving forward with a pilot, I am asking that you vote no for the right reason – because the price is deemed too steep for an open public beach season. But, if it seems a reasonable cost for a clean and open beach, then I encourage you to vote yes and move this project forward for 2025.
So, why vote yes and move forward with a UV Pilot Program for 2025? In short, to disinfect and open King’s Beach to the public as soon as possible.
Both Lynn and Swampscott are proactively addressing the issue of the long-term improvement to King’s Beach contamination through the Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination and pipe repair work that is ongoing. This is the primary solution and must continue until the system is fully repaired, minimizing any and all contamination sources as possible.
However, all current planning, and comparative projects throughout the country indicate that this will take many years to fully complete, at which point will require continued maintenance. Even in success, it is unlikely this will eliminate all contamination from the recreational resources. As a result of this uncertainty, Save the Harbor and the other members of the King’s Beach Steering Committee have advocated for a complementary solution that can open the beach to the public as that work proceeds.
The top options at this point (as you know from our recent op-ed in the Lynn Item) are UV, Ozone Nanobubbles, and an outfall extension. The outfall extension has the longest timeline and the greatest estimated expense. Ozone nanobubbles are an emerging technology that is not currently permitted by the DEP and EPA, leaving UV as the only possibility for immediate action and change on the beach.
Will it work?
Yes. Existing research, data, and case studies suggest that UV treatment will disinfect E. Coli and Enterococcus in the water column, rendering King’s Beach safe for use by the public. This is the result of the bench scale tests run earlier this year, as well as years of use in Newport, RI to treat stormwater during rain events.
What will the pilot cost? What will a permanent facility cost?
The pilot’s costs are between $500K-$800K. Consistent estimates put a permanent facility at about $25 million with a $100-$200K annual operating budget.
Where will a permanent facility go?
We don’t know for sure yet. However, I believe opening King’s Beach for use in 2025 will demonstrate the importance of this type of strategy for public benefit and will be a compelling case as Swampscott and Lynn carry out public engagement to identify a permanent facility location.
Thank you for your consideration and hopeful support for a UV Pilot in 2025. I hope residents of Swampscott and Lynn will attend the meeting this Thursday at 6:30 p.m. at the Swampscott High School 200 Essex St., Swampscott in Room B129 to show your support.
Chris Mancini
Swampscott
(Chris Mancini is executive director of Save the Harbor/Save the Bay, which led the cleanup effort of Boston Harbor beginning in 1986 that led to Boston becoming home of the cleanest urban beaches in the country. He can be reached at [email protected].)
