The Dedham Water Project

Current Water Protection Issues and Status:

1. University Ave runoff is contaminating Dedham's potable wells and wetlands

Issue Summary

Runoff from University Avenue in Westwood is impacting Dedham's drinking water and adjacent wetlands with salt contamination

Why It Matters

Beyond evident environmental impacts, parties in Westwood are releasing contaminated storm run-off on top of the potable wells Dedham & Westwood rely upon.  Additionally, DWWD is investing $15 million for a "Forever Chemical" treatment plant on a well field which, because of continued salt accumulation, would appear to have a diminishing level of return.  

Status: 

• Awaiting information from Westwood on review and approval processes that allowed for this to happen

• Reported as referred to Town Counsel March 2025. Awaiting reponse

• Mar 27, 2026: Issues esclated to State Representative Paul McMurtry

2. Our Aquifer Protection Bylaw does NOT adequately protect the aquifer

Issue Summary

Dedham's current Aquifer Protection Overlay District (APOD) bylaw does not meaningfully protect water quality.

Why It Matters

Sub-basin Characteristic reports within the DWWD 2020 CIP indicate that the aquifers are being over pumped and more than 65% of fish have been lost

Last Status: Town Counsel provided opinion that ConComm can address if desired.  Unclear as to why town spent time & money on this since Town bylaws clearly state that ConComm's responsibilities include protection of groundwater.

Current Status

Met with Dedham PZNR Director & Conservation Agent about Aquifer Protection Overlay District (APOD).  Changes to current bylaw would need to account for home owners.  PZNR opinion that no need for APOD as current stormwater bylaws are adequate.  Data from DWWD report shared wrt river aquifers being overpumped and fish loss exceeding 65%.  PZNR opinion is that direction should provided by DWWD despite the overpumping.  Problem too big and outside scope of PZNR and lead should be from NepRWA and CRWA.  My response that this should not be deflected and that this is all of Dedham's problem.

Most Recent Action

Coordinating collaboration with NepRWA and CRWA

3. Water quality data currently shared with the public is NOT accurate or complete

Issue Summary

Publicly shared water quality data is not complete or accurate.

Why It Matters

Despite the Water Quality Reports (Consumer Confidence Reports) provided by Dedham Westwood Water District (DWWD), residents have no accurate insight as to what the actual quality is of the water they consume.  Water quality averages are incorrectly calculated and not sampled during peak periods or at meaningful frequencies.  Without the uniform blending of our multiple water sources, residents are more likely to consume water with contaminant levels reflective of seasonal trends from the closest water treatment plant.  Example:  Nitrates from fertilizers are being tested once per year during winter months

Last Status: No corrective action planned by DWWD

Current Status

The Dedham-Westwood Water District has no plans to correct the data in the Consumer Confidence Reports.

Most Recent Action

Mar 05, 2026: Issue shared with ConComm during Public Comment portion of meeting

Jan 8, 2026: Select Board and Planning Board notified that Water Quality Report they receive is inaccurate.