Nestlé decides it does want Wekepeke water - December 20, 2007

Nestlé decides it does want Wekepeke water - December 20, 2007
Tests show source is underground

By Karen Nugent TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

CLINTON —  If all goes according to plans, Nestlé Waters North America could be bottling spring water from the Wekepeke aquifer in Sterling by this time next year.

A summary of hydrogeological test results from a 200-acre section of the 600-acre aquifer, which is owned by Clinton, was presented to the selectmen last night. Jay Billings of Northeast Geoscience, a hydrogeologist working for Nestlé, said a 15-day pump test done in September shows the water is, in fact, from underground springs.

He said the water chemistry demonstrated good quality and the water level is stable; however, the yield was lower than expected.

“It’s about 60 percent of what we hoped to get,” Mr. Billings said.


Nevertheless, Thomas J. Brennan, Nestlé’s natural resource manager, said after the meeting that the lesser amount of water still justifies the project. He said the company generally likes to own its land and would like to buy the Wekepeke property. Company officials were scheduled to go into closed session with selectmen later last night.

Nestlé representatives and their lawyer, James M. Burgoyne of Lancaster, asked for a memorandum of understanding, which the selectmen agreed to.

Mr. Burgoyne said Nestlé needs to get two permits from the state Department of Environmental Protection for a new water source and water management. Also, a Massachusetts Environmental Policy Act review is needed, along with permits from Sterling and possibly the state Highway Department.

Town meeting approval from Clinton voters would also be required for a land sale or lease agreement with Nestlé. If approved at the spring annual town meeting, he said, the operation could be running by late 2008.

Mr. Burgoyne stressed that a pending conservation restriction agreement with the state would not be affected, and that public access for passive recreation would be maintained.

Mr. Billings said construction would involve a pumping station, bringing electrical power to the area, and installing underground water mains. Lights and a fence would likely be added for security, he said.

Sterling officials and residents have expressed concerns about Nestlé’s production affecting private wells nearby and wildlife habitat. A Sterling official was at the meeting, and spoke to Mr. Burgoyne privately.

Mr. Billings said DEP required a longer testing period than usual. He said stream flow was measured for 15 days — more than twice the usual — and found to have good flow between Spring Basin, which would be the main source, and a flow-through underground lake near it.

Town Solicitor Dennis P. Sargent recommended that any work on the project go through the public bidding laws.

The Wekepeke consists of five reservoirs, which were used as Clinton’s public water supply from 1883 to 1964, although their use began to be phased out in the 1920s after the Wachusett Reservoir was built.

Because of that public use, Mr. Billings said, there are lots of records and documentation of water quality and output, which was about 1.2 million gallons a day.

“Back in the day, it was always clear, cool water, consistently,” he said.