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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.
Last Status:
Reported as referred to Town Counsel 12 months ago in March 2025
Current Status
Town Counsel has yet to respond
Most Recent Action
Mar 27, 2026: Issues esclated to State Representative Paul McMurtry
Mar, 16. 2010 - 2 Requests filled after new files identified. Files uploaded to site. Primarily focused on MBTA station. 1990's Responses to Environmental Impact Study foresee the issues that have been documented wrt University Ave on this site
Feb, 27. 2010 - Public Records Request Town of Dedham - As there has not been any response from Town Counsel or any meaningful level of detail from Town Management provided in the past year:I am requesting all digital correspondence (emails and texts) between the Dedham Town Executive Office and the following parties: Town Counsel, the Town of Westwood, and the Dedham Westwood Water District. This request pertains specifically to the University Ave. salt contamination issues raised by residents and covers the period from March 2025 to the present. Please also include any recorded summaries or logs of telephonic communications regarding this matter
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
Due to this delay, the issue is unlikely to appear on the Spring Town Meeting Warrant.
Last Status: Reported as referred to Town Counsel 2months ago - Dec 2,2025
Current Status
Town Counsel has responded that the Conservation Commission may discuss the Aquifer Protection Overlay District. Meeting scheduled for 4/16
Most Recent Action
Mar 05, 2026: Issue shared with ConComm during Public Comment portion of meeting
Feb 26 2026: Meeting request with Chair of ConComm
Feb 10, 2026: Follow-up email sent to Town Counsel.
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
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.
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