SCITUATE – Stearns Meadow on Route 3A will be the location of Scituate's new water treatment plant.

Town meeting voters Monday night approved the 15-acre site for the $50 million plant on a voice vote after about 30 minutes of debate, Town Administrator James Boudreau said. The 3-million-gallon-per-day treatment plant is expected to open in 2026.

"The residents realize we need to get moving on this," Boudreau said.

The current treatment plant on Old Oaken Bucket Road was built in 1968, and officials said it doesn't meet current drinking water standards and cannot keep up with demand.

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Residents have long complained about brown water coming from their taps and going into their appliances. In 2018, consumer advocate Erin Brockovich brought the issue to the forefront by calling out the town's water crisis after the department of public works insisted it was safe despite discoloration. 

Selectman Andrew Goodrich said the present plant can't be retrofitted to meet current standards and state officials are looking into the town's water issues.

"It is clear that we are out of time," he said.

Voters in May approved a tax increase to pay for the loans needed to build the plant.

There was some opposition to the use of the land for the treatment plant  because of the loss of open space and wildlife habitat.

Reach Fred Hanson at fhanson@patriotledger.com.

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