LYNN — City officials say major water and sewer infrastructure upgrades are nearing completion, but rising debt, state-imposed drought restrictions, and evolving housing regulations continue to shape the path forward.
At Monday’s Lynn Water & Sewer Commission meeting, staff reported that upgrades to Lynn’s wastewater treatment facility are 94 percent complete, with February’s invoice totaling $1.3 million. The work, ongoing for more than three years, is funded through the Massachusetts State Revolving Fund (SRF) and will result in two loans — each around $37 million — once the project is finished. Repayment over 30 years at 2 percent interest is expected to add approximately $13 million in annual debt service to the department’s budget.
Ongoing work at the Washington Street, Hollis Street, and Joel Circle pump stations is also progressing, though slightly behind the main facility. Officials said all work at the treatment plant is expected to conclude this month, with the remaining pump station upgrades finishing shortly after.
Despite near-capacity reservoirs, Water Treatment Plant Superintendent Richard Dawe said Lynn is still required to enforce watering restrictions under the state’s Water Management Act registration, triggered by a Level 2 drought designation from the Massachusetts Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs. The current restrictions limit outdoor watering to handheld use only.
Dawe expressed frustration over the disconnect between local reservoir levels — currently at 85 percent — and the statewide designation.
“We’re at maximum reservoir capacity, but we’re still obligated to limit use — even though we’re not pulling from rivers right now,” he said, noting that an appeal of the state’s ruling was denied. “We’re also facing $400 million in total infrastructure debt. It’s frustrating to tell residents they can’t water their lawns while we pay $13 million a year.”
The commission is also seeking clarification on whether spring flushing (a process that improves water quality throughout the system) can proceed. Dawe noted the City typically prefers flushing in the spring when water levels are high; by October, levels may drop to as low as 61 percent.
On the city’s $200 million Combined Sewer Overflows (CSO) project, National Grid has completed electrical hookups at the new pump station, allowing testing preparations to begin. Work crews are also 75 percent finished installing a 72-inch box culvert beneath the Saugus force main, which is part of the overall sewer separation effort. Officials estimate the full phase of the project will take another two months.
At King’s Beach, Apex Companies’ Eric Kelley said pipe inspections and cleaning are nearly complete. Crews have worked five of the past six Saturdays and are now focused on Essex Street. Dye testing will resume next week during school vacation near Marshall Middle School, with teams going door to door to identify potential legacy sewer connections that still discharge to storm drains.
“We’ve made a lot of progress,” Kelley said. “The goal is to have everything that we can do completed by Memorial Day.”
Attorney Sam Vitali briefed the commission on enforcement of existing rules and the impact of new state laws permitting accessory dwelling units (ADUs). Under Lynn’s zoning amendments adopted in February, all detached ADUs must include separate water and sewer connections. Building Commissioner Mike Donovan and commission staff confirmed the city’s Inspectional Services Department (ISD) will enforce that requirement under sanitary facilities standards.
Vitali said the commission’s longstanding policy still applies: “If you accept our service, you play by our rules.”
Vitali added that additional regulatory changes may be needed in the future, including potential inspections of sewer laterals during real estate transfers. For now, the commission is handling such cases on an individual basis.
The meeting concluded with a review of the fiscal year 2026 budget schedule. Draft capital improvement plans and rate proposals will be submitted to the City Council and mayor’s office in early May, with a vote expected in June.
