Dartmouth's water crisis: A town's struggle with rising costs and supply issues
The town of Dartmouth is facing a water crisis, with rising costs and supply issues putting a strain on its residents and infrastructure. The town's water rates have soared by 20% this year, with a 7.5% increase for the fiscal year that began on July 1, following a 13% mid-year increase in January 2026. This is due to the town's reliance on water purchased from New Bedford, while several of its own wells are offline.
The town's water budget is in dire need of stabilization, with the purchase of New Bedford water costing Dartmouth over $3 million this fiscal year. The town's total budget is about $113 million, and the rising costs are putting a strain on the town's finances. The town's water supply issues are further exacerbated by drought conditions, which have not allowed the town to make full use of its wells.
To address this crisis, Dartmouth is considering purchasing municipal water from Fall River, which would require extending a pipeline across Westport. The plan is estimated to cost over $5 million, and the town's officials are discussing the possibility of funding the project through a bill from the Legislature or a MassWorks infrastructure grant. Fall River has offered Dartmouth a drop rate, meaning the town would pay the city less for its water once it had purchased a certain volume.
However, the town's officials are also considering other options, such as working to lower New Bedford's rate. The town's sewer rates are also being raised by 16%, in response to reduced demand for the town's biosolids, which are processed sewage used to fertilize soil. The clients anticipate future regulations having to do with the presence of PFAS, or "forever chemicals," in the treated waste.
The town's water crisis is a complex issue, with rising costs and supply issues putting a strain on Dartmouth's residents and infrastructure. The town's officials are working to address the crisis, but the solution will require significant investment and planning. The town's water supply and cost issues are a reminder of the challenges that many towns and cities face in the face of rising costs and changing environmental conditions.
